WAVERLY, Iowa — Nothing like a little home cooking to put a freshman — playing on the biggest stage of her fastpitch softball career — at ease.

This weekend's NCAA Division III Midwest Regional has been a homecoming of sorts for Saint Mary's University's Lindsey Smith, who grew up playing ball in Elma, Iowa, less than a stone's throw (OK, about 45 minutes) from this year's regional site, Wartburg College.

Add to that the fact that she was a teammate to a number of the Wartburg players during her high school days at New Hampton High School, and Smith felt right at home Saturday afternoon as she took her place in right field for the Cardinals' winner's bracket game against the host Knights.

"It was really exciting playing in front of my family and friends," admitted Smith. "Everyone was there watching — even my Uncle Merle (who passed away), he's my angel in the outfield."

And the SMU freshman certainly didn't disappoint the throng of Smith supporters, belting a two-run home run — her second of the year — in SMU's four-run second inning as the Cardinals cruised to an 8-3 win over Wartburg, sneding the Cardinals into Sunday's championship game wth a perfect 2-0 record.

"I was a llittle nervous and uptight, especially playing in front of so many people who were there to watch me," admitted Smith. "But once the game started and we got off to such a quick start, I was able to relax."

Smith may have been able to relax, but her performance at the plate has certainly made opposing coaches a bit uptight.

• THE COMPLETE PACKAGE: The Cardinals entered the regional tournament — their fifth straight post-season appearance — as the nation's No. 1 defensive team, boasting a .973 fielding percentage. Add to that a offensive lineup that doesn't appear to have a weak link, and it's no wonder SMU is one win away from a second straight national tournament.

"(The Wartburg victory) showed just how potent our offense is," said Fennern, who got a 2-for-3 performance from Ann Munzenmaier (Urbandale, Iowa) at the top of the order, four RBIs combined from Jill Hocking (Apple Valley, Minn.) and Gina Rizzardi (Woodbury, Minn.) in the middle, and a 2-for-3, 2 RBI effort from Niki Lynch (Winona, Minn.) and a two-run HR from Lindsey Smith (Elma, Iowa) in the No. 8 and No. 9 slots. "There isn't anyone (opponents) can afford to pitch around, because, top-to-bottom, we've got players who can hit the cover off the ball."

Which makes life easier for offensive leaders Hocking, Rizzardi and Jennifer Meyer (Oconomowoc, Wis.) — who don't have to worry about carrying the offensive load.

"We have so many players who can get the big hit for us," said Hocking, who, along with her 2-run HR, also picked up the pitching win, throwing the first four innings, allowing three unearned runs on four hits. "We don't have to rely on just one or two players — any player on this team can hurt you."

Now there's a scary thought.

• THIS AND THAT: Lynch went 2-for-3 with a two-run double, giving her three hits in four at-bats in SMU's two regional tournament games. … The Cardinals have won nine straight post-season games. … The win over Wartburg marked the fifth straight win and the 27th victory in SMU's last 28 games. … Hocking's fourth-inning HR was her team-leading fourth of the season. … Four of SMU's nine hits vs. Wartburg were for extra bases (2 doubles, 2 HRs).