Box Score Notables
-Novak goes 4-4 in contest
-Martin throws five shutout innings
-Happajoki hits grand slam
 
AUBURNDALE, Fla. (csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica baseball team ended its two-game losing streak on Friday, defeating the Roadrunners from Ramapo College. The Saints were able to score four early runs, and behind a dominant pitching staff, defeated Ramapo by a score of 7-2.
 
How it Happened
Through the early stages of today's matchup, both teams traded blows, as neither team could get a man across home, where the score remained at 0-0.
 
In the top of the third inning, Mitchell Novak (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater HS) recorded his second hit of the game with two outs, and after back-to-back hit by pitches, Alex Haapajoki (Brainerd, Minn./Brainerd HS (Central Lakes)) smashed a grand slam to left field, giving CSS a 4-0 lead.
 
T.J. Martin (Minneapolis, Minn./Academy of Holy Angels) provided a big relief for the Saints on the mound today, as he pitched five scoreless innings, while only allowing two hits, to keep CSS afloat with its 4-0 lead.
 
Novak singled again to lead off the top of the fifth inning, and after a fielder's choice, Jake Schelonka (Sartell, Minn./Sartell HS) was able to score on a wild pitch, making the score now 5-0. The Saints weren't done in the inning, as Levi Stubbles (San Bruno, Calif./El Camino HS (Skyline College)) drove in another Saints runner on a sacrifice fly, giving CSS a comfortable 6-0 lead.
 
Ramapo tagged on two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, but CSS remained in the driver's seat, leading 6-2.
 
In the top of the eighth inning, Novak collected his fourth hit of the ballgame, and was able to score later in the inning on a Roadrunner error, extending the Saints' lead to 7-2.
 
Grant Taival (Lake Elmo, Minn./Mahtomedi HS) pitched the last three innings for CSS, and was able to strike out two Ramapo batters, as CSS defeated Ramapo today by a score of 7-2.
 
Up Next
The Saints (2-10) will wrap up the Russmatt Invitational tomorrow, as they will take on Ohio Northern University. First pitch is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. EST.