The softball team handled its business Saturday, beating St. Olaf 9-2 and Bethel 5-1 to advance to the MIAC conference championship game.

St. Thomas will face Gustavus in the championship game Sunday and, with a win, will secure the conference championship and an automatic bid to the national tournament.

“It’s what we came here for,” senior Alison Wright said. “We want to win a conference championship and the tournament.”

The Tommies jumped out to an early lead against St. Olaf for a victory in which it never trailed. A solid four-inning pitching performance by senior Marta Radcliffe anchored the win and a two-run homer by junior Cassie Smith gave St. Thomas the offensive spark it needed.

“It’s amazing,” sophomore Kayla Boward said. “We practice so hard and getting that first win out of the way really sets the stage.”

Game two was all Radcliffe as she pitched a complete game, giving up only one run in the final inning and allowing just three hits throughout. Once again Radcliffe got the run support she needed as the Tommies went ahead 4-0 after three innings.

“We’re kind of known in the MIAC for scoring a lot of runs, so when we jump on them right away it’s kind of like, ‘Here we go again,’” Radcliffe said.

Wright led the way with a two-RBI base hit with the bases loaded, helping give Radliffe more than enough cushion for the win.

Gustavus will need to beat St. Thomas in two straight games to win the championship, while a single win for the Tommies will secure the title.

“We got two good wins and that’s great, but tomorrow we have to come back out just as intense,” Radcliffe said.

Jordan Osterman can be reached at jrosterman@stthomas.edu.