Notables
-Haapajoki gets on base three times, including two hits in game one
-Kemming and Jeffries allow just four hits combined in game one defeat
-Bredl pitches three shutout innings in relief in game two
 
DECTAUR, Ill (csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica baseball team fell in its two games this afternoon, as they traveled to Dectaur, Illinois. The Saints fell in a close matchup against Millikin University, falling 1-0, and were defeated by Coe College by a score of 3-2 in another close battle.
 
Game One
Both teams were held in check early in the first game of today's action, as the Saints got two hits early in the top of the first from Mitchell Novak (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater HS), who was thrown out trying to extend a single to a double, and Ryan Garlick (Coon Rapids, Minn./Coon Rapids HS (Iowa Central Community College)), but nothing came of it.
 
Wes Kemming (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North HS) kept the Big Blue bats silent, as the senior pitcher was able to get out of a jam in the bottom of the second inning.
 
Kemming was able to get through four scoreless innings and ended the afternoon surrendering just two hits, striking out four in the process.
 
Payton Jeffries (Vancouver, Wash./Union HS (Shasta College)) picked up right where Kemming left it off, striking out the second batter the sophomore faced, as the game stayed at 0-0 after five.
 
Both the Saints and the Big Blue couldn't get any break, as the score remained at 0-0 heading into the eighth inning.
 
After an one-two-three top of the eighth for the Saints' bats, the Big Blue opened up its half of the inning with a walk, followed by a sacrifice bunt that put a runner into scoring position. With two outs, an RBI single would crack the 0-0 game, as Millikin took a 1-0 lead.
 
The Saints were unable to mutter anything in the top of the ninth, falling by a score of 1-0.
 
Game Two
The Saints next opponent, Coe College, struck early in the second game of the day, taking an early 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning.
 
Jack Harris (San Francisco, Calif./Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep (Skyline CC)) led off the bottom of the second with a single to right center field, then advanced to second on a wild-pitch, and got to third base on a flyout. Harris then scored on an RBI single by Alex Haapajoki (Brainerd, Minn./Brainerd HS (Central Lakes)), making the score 2-1.
 
The Koehawks responded in the top of the third, scoring another run, as Coe got three hits in the inning, extending its lead to 3-1.
 
In the bottom of the sixth, the Saints got an opportunity to chip away at its deficit, gaining two hits in the inning, but ultimately nothing came of it.
'
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Garlick led off the inning with a single, followed by a walk by Haapajoki, putting two men on early. Garlick would then score on an RBI groundout by Luke Schemenauer (Chippewa Falls, Wis./Chippewa Falls HS), making it 3-2.
 
The Koehawks were able to keep the Saints in check for the remainder of the game, as CSS fell in the second game of the day by a score of 3-2.
 
Up Next
The Saints (0-5) will be back in action tomorrow, as they will take on the Skyhawks from Wisconsin-Stevens Point. First pitch is scheduled for 10:30 a.m.