A two-run seventh inning kept St. Ambrose from a perfect opening day. The Bees started the season with a 9-3 win over Saint Mary (Neb.) before falling 3-2 to Cornerstone Saturday in the Ambrose Dome.

Hosting the first of three SAU Dome Tournaments on consecutive weekends, SAU got off to a great start. The Bees scored at least one run in all six innings in the win over Saint Mary.

Shai Erdrich showed off her speed to score the team's first run of the year in the bottom of the first. After drawing a leadoff walk, she stole second, moved to third on a wild pitch and came in to score on a bunt single from Ellie Downing.

Mady Reed started the second with a single before Parker Leonard reached on an error. Taylor Martyn followed with an RBI double. Erdrich's ground out scored Leonard before Reagan Engberg doubled in Martyn for a 4-0 lead.

After St. Mary got on the board with two runs in the top of the third, St. Ambrose came back with two of its own in the bottom half. Justice Krus doubled in Anna Engberg and Kylee Claypool added a sacrifice fly to score Krus to extend the lead to 6-2.

The Flames scored their final run in the fourth. Becca Haag, Leonard and Downing each had an RBI over the final three innings to complete the scoring.

Leah Maro earned the win by allowing two earned runs over four innings. Cara Linnenkamp allowed just one hit over two scoreless innings before Bianca Shorter retired the side in order in the seventh.

SAU struck early in the loss to Cornerstone. Reagan Engberg drew a one-out walk and came around to score on Paige Kirkman's two-out single in the bottom of the first.

After Cornerstone tied the game in the top of the third, Kylie Schult's ground out to second scored Anna Engberg with a run in the bottom of the frame to put St. Ambrose back in front.

That lead held up until the seventh when the Eagles pushed across a pair of runs. The Bees threatened in their last at bat as Haag and Claypool singled to put two on with one out, but they were stranded there.

Schult took the loss in relief of Allyson Harrold. Harrold allowed just one earned run over the first four innings before Schult worked the final three frames.

SAU will face St. Mary and Clarke on Sunday to close out the first Dome Tournament.