ROCHESTER, Minn. - Junior catcher Veronica Rodriguez (South Bend, Ind.) went 2-for-4 with four RBIs as the Carroll University softball team defeated College of Saint Benedict 9-7 in the first round of the season-opening Luther Dome Games at the RCTC Dome on Saturday evening.
Trailing 7-6 after six complete innings, Carroll responded with three runs in the top of the seventh to ensure a come-from-behind victory.
Rodriguez powered the late-inning rally with a game-winning, two-out bases-loaded double to center field for the Pioneers, who amassed 13 hits - including five doubles - in their season debut. 
Junior second baseman Maggie Erdmann (Jefferson, Wis.) and freshman third baseman Allyssa Demma (Orland Park, Ill.) each collected two hits and drove in two runs for Carroll, which overcame an early 5-1 deficit by answering with five runs in the third. Junior right fielder Annika Graves (Muskego, Wis.) and sophomore left fielder Rosalie Jrolf (Dousman, Wis.) each added two hits.
Sophomore right-hander Lexy Kemnitzer (McFarland, Wis.) was the winning pitcher, allowing four earned runs on six hits with a strikeout and five walks through six complete innings. Sophomore right-hander Amanda Osterhus (Munster, Ind.) pitched the final inning, forcing a ground out and ending the game with back-to-back strikeouts.