Official MIAC Release

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary's University's Erin Stenseth (Eau Claire, Wis.) is taking a simple approach to the plate of late — speak softly, and carry a big stick.

Which has been great for the SMU fastpitch softball team — and not-so-good for opposing pitchers.

Stenseth has feasted on opposing pitchers of late, and her hitting prowess has not gone unnoticed, as the Cardinal junior was named Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Week, it was announced Monday

In the Cardinals' six games last week, Stenseth hit .565, going 13-for-23 with six doubles, four runs scored and four RBIs — not to mention boasting a slugging percentage of .826.

Stenseth started her week with a “ho-hum” 1-for-4 performance in Game 1 against St. Olaf last Tuesday, but she was just warming up.

Over SMU's next three games, Stenseth went 10-for-11 — going 3-for-3 in Game 2 vs. St. Olaf, before adding 4-for-5 and 3-for-3 performances against St. Catherine on Saturday. She then closed out her week with back-to-back 1-for-4 efforts against Macalester on Sunday.

Stenseth, who enters Tuesday's nonconference doubleheader at UW-Eau Claire riding a season-high eight-game hitting streak, has pushed her batting average to a career-best .380.

The Cardinals play a pair of nonconference doubleheaders at UW-Eau Claire on Tuesday and at UW-La Crosse on Thursday, before closing out conference play by hosting Gustavus on Saturday and traveling to Saint Benedict on Sunday. SMU is currently in fifth place in the conference standings at 9-9, one game behind both Saint Benedict and Augsburg.