Notables
-First meeting between the two programs
-Marolt finishes his career reaching base safely in 32 consecutive games
-Minks finishes the season on a 12-game hitting streak
-A. Colvard finishes his career with the fifth-most hits (218) and third-most stolen bases (89) in program history
LA CROSSE, Wis. (
csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica baseball team jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but Luther College (Iowa) scored two runs in the sixth and then scored the go-ahead run off a CSS error in the eighth to end the Saints' season 3-2 on Friday at the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional, hosted by the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
Minks HR in the First
After one out single by
Al Marolt (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial HS),
Brian Minks (St. Cloud, Minn./St. Cloud Cathedral HS ) hit the first home run of the tournament for the Saints with a two-run blast over the left field wall.
The Norse would get the leadoff batter on base in four of the first five innings, but
Daniel Wood (Canyon, Minn./South Ridge HS ) would get out of jams each time thanks to a couple of double plays.
Olson's Near Misses
In the top of the fourth,
Chris Olson (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS ) hit a deep shot to right center, but it off the very top of the wall, which resulted in a double. Olson would be stranded at second.
Then in the sixth inning, Olson delivered another shot off the wall, this time to left field and
Trevor Bernsdorf (Meadowlands, Minn./Floodwood HS ) would try to score all the way from first, but was thrown out at the plate to keep the score 2-0.
Luther Ties it in the Sixth
After two quick outs in the sixth, the Norse got a double and then worked back-to-back walks to load the bases. Cody Reimer proceeded to deliver a single to left to bring in two runs and tie the game at 2-2.
Austin Colvard (Little Canada, Minn./Roseville HS) would throw out a runner at third on the play to end the inning.
Error Leads to Winning Run
Much like the sixth inning, the Saints got two quick outs to lead off the bottom of the eighth. However, Luther followed with a single up the middle, then drew a walk and a hit by a pitch to load the bases.
With the bases loaded, the Saints would try to throw behind the runner at first base, but the ball would get away on the pickoff attempt, allowing the runner from third to come in and score to give the Norse a 3-2 lead.
The Saints would go down in order in the top of the ninth as their season came to an end with a 3-2 loss.
Pitching
Wood went six innings, allowing six hits and striking out two in the no decision.
Isaac Rocha (Owatonna, Minn./Owatonna HS) had the loss in relief, allowing two hits in two innings.
Teddy Klingsporn went eight innings to earn the victory for Luther, striking out four.
Offensive Performers
T. Bernsdorf was 3-for-4 at the plate, while Olson had a pair of doubles as the Saints finished with nine hits.
Thank You Seniors
The Saints (32-11) will say goodbye to seven seniors:
Jordan Risse (Sioux Falls, S.D./Washington HS ),
Austin Colvard (Little Canada, Minn./Roseville HS),
Al Marolt (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial HS),
Jake Kuschke (Mahtomedi, Minn./Mahtomedi HS ),
Sam Christofferson (Maple Grove, Minn./Osseo HS ),
Gino Strebing (Tucson, Ariz./Santa Rita HS (Rainy River CC) ) and
Daniel Wood (Canyon, Minn./South Ridge HS ). The class won four Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) regular season and tournament titles. The group made the NCAA Tournament all four years and won a total of 123 games.
For future information on the St. Scholastica baseball program; keep following csssaints.com.
