Notables-Kuschke hit his first home run of the year in the first game.-Bernsdorf had an RBI in both games.
LA CROSSE, Wis. (csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica baseball team played to a split in its doubleheader against the University of Wisconsin La-Crosse on Sunday, dropping the first game 6-3 but came back to win the second game in 10 innings by a score of 3-2.
CSS 3, UW-La Crosse 6Despite a good start, the Saints were not able to get the win in the first game, losing to the Eagles by a score of 6-3.
The Saints got things going right away in the first inning as
Austin Colvard (Little Canada, Minn./Roseville HS) began a game with a walk and would later be brought in to score on an RBI single to center field by
Trevor Bernsdorf (Meadowlands, Minn./Floodwood HS (Doane) ) for the early 1-0 lead. CSS would extend that lead in the next inning on a
Jake Kuschke (Mahtomedi, Minn./Mahtomedi HS ) solo home run to left center field to make it 2-0.
After a scoreless third inning, the Eagles would tie the game on a two-run home run early in the fourth inning and would later take the lead on a two-RBI single to go up 4-2 after four innings. La Crosse would increase its lead in the bottom of the sixth inning on another two-run home run to make it 6-2.
The Saints were able to make things interesting in the top of the ninth inning as they had runners on the corners with two outs.
Brian Minks (St. Cloud, Minn./St. Cloud Cathedral HS ) would be able to score on a wild pitch and a runner would advance to second in the same play, but that would be the end of the comeback as the Saints were unable to put any more runs up on the board.
Jordan Risse (Sioux Falls, S.D./Washington HS ) would take the loss for the Saints, going seven innings while allowing five earned runs on eight hits and striking out five Eagle batters. Joe Miller got the win for La Crosse, pitching eight innings while giving up two runs on seven hits.
CSS 3, UW-La Crosse 2 F/10The Saints would come back in game two of the doubleheader, winning 3-2 in 10 innings in a pitching duel.
Just like in the first game, CSS started the scoring in the first inning as
Austin Colvard (Little Canada, Minn./Roseville HS) would score on a throwing error by the Eagle catcher. The Saints would continue to threaten to put more on the board, but were not able to capitalize with runners on second and third. The Eagles would respond right back in the bottom of the inning, as Taylor Kohlway hit a lead-off home run to tie it up.
The rest of the game was quiet as both teams' pitching was very good. Saints had a chance to retake the lead in the fourth inning as
Brian Minks (St. Cloud, Minn./St. Cloud Cathedral HS ) started it off with a double to right field, but he would not be able to make it home. CSS would threaten to score once again in the seventh inning with a runner on second, but were not able to bring him in.
The game would go into extra innings and the Saints would get right to it in the top of the 10th. After
Austin Colvard (Little Canada, Minn./Roseville HS) reached first on a fielder's choice,
Steven Neutzling (St. Cloud, Minn./St. Cloud Cathedral ) ripped a double to right center field and Colvard hustled all the way from first base to score and give the Saints a 2-1 lead.
Trevor Bernsdorf (Meadowlands, Minn./Floodwood HS (Doane) ) followed that up with an RBI single to right field to increase their lead to 3-1. La Crosse threatened to continue the game as it loaded the bases with no outs, but were only able to get one run in as the Saints completed a wild double play to end the game, in which they got a force out at second and then cut down the runner at the plate, who was trying to score from second on the play.
Zack Farmer (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS) would pick up the win for the Saints pitching in relief. He pitched the last three innings allowing one run on three hits while striking out one batter.
Mickie Keuning (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS (Angelo State)) got the no decision despite going seven innings, striking out five and allowing four hits. Caleb Boushley took the loss for the Eagles despite a strong performance from starting pitcher Ben Cejka, who struck out 13.
The Saints (11-4) will be back in action tomorrow as they take on No. 3 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in a doubleheader. The first pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. Listen to the game live on Saints Sports Net.
