Notables
-Schelonka goes 4-for-5 while pitching 4.2 innings
-CSS scores two runs in the 10th inning for the win
-CSS wins second straight game in RussMatt Invitational
AUBURNDALE, Fla. (
csssaints.com) - The St. Scholastica baseball team played its third game in the RussMatt Invitational on Tuesday against Spalding University (K.Y). Both teams were able to find the scoreboard early, as CSS took an early lead. Spalding chipped away at the Saints' lead, forcing the game into extra innings. In extra innings, Spalding took a 7-6 lead over CSS, but big RBI hits from
Jack Harris (San Francisco, Calif./Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep (Skyline CC)) and the game-winning walk-off hit by
Mitchell Olson (Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie HS), gave the Saints the win by a score of 8-7.
How it Happened
The Saints saw sophomore
Jake Schelonka (Sartell, Minn./Sartell HS) take the mound as they faced the Golden Eagles (7-7). Early on, the Saints were able to silence the bats of Spalding.
In the bottom of the second inning, Schelonka gave the Saints its first hit of the afternoon on a single.
Jack Tiemann (Bloomington, Minn./Bloomington Kennedy HS) stepped up to the plate, fresh off hitting his first home run of the season last night. Tiemann delivered yet another big hit for CSS on a double to left center that scored Schelonka. He then scored later in the inning on an RBI single by
Bryce Huffman (Proctor, Minn./Proctor HS), as the Saints took an early 2-0 lead.
The fourth inning saw CSS extend its lead over Spalding, as Schelonka doubled to open the inning. Just as he did in the second inning, Tiemann drove in Schelonka on an RBI hit, this time a single up the middle to extend the Saints' lead to 3-0.
In the top of the fifth inning, Spalding chipped away at CSS' lead. A double with two outs gave Spalding a man in scoring position. The next at-bat saw a home run by Spalding's Eric Bonner, cut into the Saints' lead by making it a 3-2 ballgame.
Matt Tautges (Fort Ripley, Minn./Pierz HS) singled to open the bottom of the fifth inning. A walk from
Jack Harris (San Francisco, Calif./Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep (Skyline CC)) put two men on board for Schelonka. He picked up his third hit of the afternoon on a single and advanced to second on an error which scored both Tautges and Harris. With two outs in the inning,
Cody Venske (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater HS) singled to right that scored Schelonka and increased CSS' lead to 6-2.
Spalding added two more runs in the top of the sixth, both runs coming off a double with two outs that cut the lead down to just two, with the score being 6-4.
The Saints were shut down in their half of the sixth. In the seventh inning, the Golden Eagles added yet another run, coming off a double and made the score 6-5.
The game remained 6-5 until the ninth inning, where a walk gave Spalding a man on with one out. A stolen base put that man in scoring position and with two outs Spalding tied the game at 6-6 on an RBI single.
Mitchell Olson (Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie HS) singled in the ninth with the hope of being brought home to win the game for CSS. The Saints found themselves with the bases loaded with one out, but got nothing from it as the game was heading to extra innings tied 6-6.
In the 10th inning, Spalding took its first lead of the afternoon, scoring a run on a wild pitch. Going into the bottom of the 10th, Spalding was three outs away from walking away victorious in today's contest.
The Saints were not going to go down without a fight.
Zach Harding (Red Wing, Minn./Red Wing HS) led off the 10th with a single up the middle.
Mitchell Novak (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater HS) reached first base on a fielder's choice, but stole second to give CSS a chance to tie the game. After fouling off several pitches, Tautges drew a walk. Harris then singled through the right side, scoring Novak, and tying the game 7-7. That brought Olson to the plate with a chance to walk-off on the Golden Eagles. Olson delivered, singling through the left side, scoring Tautges and giving the Saints the victory in today's matchup, 8-7.
Jerry Gooley (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove HS) pitched the 10
th inning for the Saints to earn the victory.
Up Next
The Saints (3-5) will have an off day on Wednesday before taking on Knox College (Ill.) in a doubleheader on Thursday. First pitch is scheduled for 9:45 a.m. (ET).
