Notables
-First road DH sweep of WIAC school since 1992
-17 runs are the most in a game vs. WIAC program
-Weber had 10 RBIs on the day and extends hitting streak to 12 games
-CSS hit six home runs, including five in game one
STEVENS POINT, Wis. (
csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica baseball team put on an offensive display on Wednesday, sweeping a doubleheader from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point for the first time in program history.
Game 1: CSS 17, UWSP 8
With the wind blowing out, the Saints belted five home runs and never trailed in a 17-8 victory.
The Saints got things going early with a
Lane Girtz (Pierz, Minn./Pierz Healy HS) RBI triple in the first, followed by an
Aaron Weber (Sauk Rapids, Minn./Pierz HS) RBI to take a 2-0 lead. CSS then plated six runs in the second inning.
Eric Pearson (Champlin, Minn./Champlin Park HS) led off the inning with his third home run of the season. After a pair of RBI singles, Weber homered to make it 8-0.
The Pointers (9-9) cut the margin to 8-4 by the fourth inning until
Braydon Hanson (Monticello, Minn./Monticello HS (UW-Whitewater)) and Weber both homered in the top of the fourth to make it 11-4. For Hanson, it was his first collegiate home run. Girtz and Weber added RBIs in the fifth to extend the lead to 13-4.
The Saints got their final home run of the game in the ninth as
Conor Wollenzien (North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West HS) hit a three-run bomb to make the final score 17-8.
Jerry Gooley (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove HS) got his first collegiate start on the mound and went 4.1 innings to earn a no-decision.
Grant Taival (Mahtomedi, Minn./Mahtomedi HS) came in relief and pitched the final 4.2 innings, scattering five hits to get his first collegiate win.
Weber had two home runs and six RBIs. Girtz added three RBIs and four runs scored after scoring just three times and driving in one run in his first 12 games as a Saint. Hanson led the team with three hits.
Game 2: CSS 17, UWSP 10 (F/7)
The nightcap saw the Saints score seven unearned runs in the third inning and then score six more runs in the seventh to complete the sweep of the Pointers in a game called after seven innings due to darkness.
With the game tied at 1-1 in the third inning, Weber recorded his second RBI of the game to make it 2-1. A Stevens Point error then prolonged the inning and the Saints made it hurt.
Mitchell Olson (Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie HS) hit a bases clearing three-run double to make it 5-1. Another error allowed Olson to score and
Joey Zwak (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS) followed with a three-run home run to complete the eight-run inning, seven of which unearned.
The Pointers were able to cut the lead to 11-10 after six innings. However, CSS responded with another big inning in the seventh.
Brad Fossum (Sturgeon Lake, Minn./Moose Lake HS (Concordia-St. Paul)) scored on a wild pitch for the first run of the inning. Weber and Pearson each followed with two-run singles to make it 16-10. Pearson then scored on another Pointer error to extend it to 17-10.
UWSP was unable to get anything across in the bottom of the seventh and the game was then called due to darkness.
Jake Sande (Hayward, Wis./Hayward HS) got the start for the Saints and went 3.2 innings in the no-decision.
Aidan Zurn (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater HS) came in relief and pitched the final 3.1 innings to earn the win, striking out four and allowing five hits.
Zwak was 3-for-3 falling a triple shy of the cycle with three RBIs and four runs scored. Weber also had three hits and drove in four runs.
Up Next:
The Saints (7-8) are scheduled to have their home and conference opener Saturday at Wade Stadium against Martin Luther College. The first game is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
