Makayla Steffes struck out 18 batters in three pitching appearances and 14.2 innings of work to help the Cardinals open the season 4-0. Steffes earned a complete-game victory over Northwestern on 2/14 and picked up a save against Nebraska Wesleyan later in the day. She returned to the circle on 2/15, tossing 6.1 innings of shutout ball in a 4-0 win at Bethany Lutheran.