A five-run first inning powered St. Ambrose to an 11-4 win over Viterbo Wednesday afternoon at the St. Vincent's Athletic Complex.

The big inning came after the Bees allowed a pair of unearned runs in the top half of the first.

But Shai Erdrich got things started by drawing a walk and stealing second. Anna Engberg dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move Erdrich to third. Alena Holder then reached on an error allowing Erdrich to score.

SAU then pounded out four consecutive hits.

Becca Haag singled in Holder. Shea Meech singled to plate Haag. Mya Millsaps singled to put two runners on. Then Taylor Martyn doubled to left-center to bring in Meech. Ellie Downing followed with a squeeze bunt to score Millsaps for a 5-2 lead.

Holder and Meech each hit a sacrifice fly in the second to extend the lead to 7-2.

After the V-Hawks closed to within 7-4 in the third, the Bees went back to work.

Reagan Engberg grounded out to score Martyn in the third. And an inning later, Haag had an RBI single and Martyn followed with a two-run hit to account for the final score.

Martyn finished 3-for-4 with three RBIs and a run scored. Erdrich (two runs scored), Haag (2 runs, two RBIs) and Meech (two RBIs, 1 run) had two hits apiece.

Kaitlyn Haag also scored in the win that capped a three-game series sweep for the Bees.

Leah Maro got the win in relief of Meech. Maro allowed two runs over 2 2/3 innings. Bianca Shorter earned the save by surrendering just two hits over 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief.

St. Ambrose (16-10, 6-0 CCAC) will host St. Francis Sunday.