Notables
-First meeting in Superior between the two programs since the 1992 season
-Neutzling extends hit streak to 15 games
-Neutzling and Colvard have reached base safely in 31 consecutive games
-CSS has not allowed more than three runs in conference game
DULUTH, Minn. (
csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica baseball team took both games of a doubleheader against Bridge Rival University of Wisconsin-Superior in a battle of Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) unbeatens on Wednesday.
Game 1: CSS 9, UWS 0
Riley Bernsdorf (Meadowlands, Minn. /Floodwood HS) and
Brian Minks (St. Cloud, Minn./St. Cloud Cathedral HS ) hit a pair of 3-run home runs in the fourth inning to break open a 1-0 game en route to a 9-0 victory. For Bernsdorf, it was his first collegiate home run.
Trevor Bernsdorf (Meadowlands, Minn./Floodwood HS ) had a sacrifice fly to bring in
Al Marolt (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial HS) in the third to begin the scoring. Minks had a sacrifice fly later in the game and
Steven Neutzling (St. Cloud, Minn./St. Cloud Cathedral ) had a RBI single in the ninth to complete the scoring.
Jacob Dzubay (St. Michael, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville HS (Butler) ),
Joe Gonrowski (Elk River, Minn./Elk River HS ),
Seth Anderson (Robbinsdale, Minn./Robbinsdale Cooper HS ) and
Michael Piletich (Somerset, Wis. /Somerset HS ) combined to throw a five-hitter in shutting out the Yellowjackets. Dzubay went the first four innings and scattered three hits, while striking out two. Gonrowski was the pitcher of record, allowing one hit over three innings.
The Saints had 13 hits in the victory.
Game 2: CSS 6, UWS 3
The Saints jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the nightcap and held off the Yellowjackets to complete the sweep, winning 6-3.
St. Scholastica took advantage of a UWS error in the second inning as the Saints scored four unearned runs.
Jake Kuschke (Mahtomedi, Minn./Mahtomedi HS ) doubled in R. Bernsdorf.
Austin Colvard (Little Canada, Minn./Roseville HS) then had a RBI single and that was followed by a Minks two-run double.
Drew Colvard (Little Canada, Minn./Roseville HS ) had a RBI single in the third to make it 5-0 CSS.
A walk, hit-by-pitch and an error gave Superior hope in the bottom of the fifth. The Yellowjackets took advantage and scored three runs to cut the margin to 5-3.
However, another UWS error in the sixth allowed Neutzling to score all the way for first to make it 6-3.
Jake Turner (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS ) shut the door on the Yellowjackets from there, scattering three hits the rest of the way and not allowing a runner to reach second base.
Isaac Rocha (Owatonna, Minn./Owatonna HS) came in the ninth and struck out the side to earn his first collegiate save.
Turner earned the victory, pitching four innings in relief.
Gino Strebing (Tucson, Ariz./Santa Rita HS (Rainy River CC) ) got the start for the Saints and did not allow a hit in four innings. Strebing has not allowed a hit in 11 consecutive innings.
The Saints had 12 hits in game two with T. Bernsdorf and D. Colvard both going 3-for-5.
Up Next:
The Saints (17-7, 8-0 UMAC) will be at Martin Luther College on Saturday for a conference doubleheader. Games are scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m.
