ST. PAUL, Minn. — The College of St. Scholastica baseball team responded with a strong bounce-back performance on Thursday, sweeping a doubleheader from North Central University to snap a three-game skid. The Saints improved to 10-6 overall with their third two-game sweep of the season, taking game one 10-2 before completing the day with a 12-3 win at Reynolds Field.
St. Scholastica set the tone early in the opener, scoring seven runs across the first two innings to take control. Andrew Beffel (Highlands Ranch, CO/Mountain Vista HS) jump-started the offense with a solo home run during a five-run second inning, while Markus Isaiah (Centralia, IL/Centralia HS) and Luke Krull (Greenville, WI/Xavier HS) each contributed key hits as the Saints capitalized on early opportunities. Krull finished with three hits, including a home run, while scoring twice and driving in two. Finley Spicer (Aberdeen, N.C./Union Pines HS (Limestone University)) added two hits, an RBI, and three stolen bases, continuing the Saints' aggressive approach on the basepaths.
On the mound, Ben Schefers (Cologne, MN/Central HS) delivered one of his strongest outings of the season, allowing just two runs on two hits over five innings while striking out five. Kellan Graning (Becker, Minn./Becker HS) followed with two scoreless innings in relief to secure the win.
The Saints carried that momentum into game two, breaking things open with a five-run fifth inning before adding another five-run frame in the sixth. Spicer led the offense with four RBIs and two doubles, while Owen Maslowski (Stillwater, MN/Stillwater Area HS) added a home run and two RBIs. Beffel reached base multiple times, stole four bases, and scored twice, and Isaiah added two steals and two runs scored as St. Scholastica continued to pressure North Central defensively.
Michael Zunker (Ashland, WI/Ashland HS) started game two and allowed just one run on one hit over three innings, striking out three. The bullpen handled the rest, with Blake Bullis (Inver Grove Heights, MN/Cretin-Derham Hall HS) closing things out with two scoreless innings.
In total, the Saints combined for 22 runs, 20 hits, and a flurry of stolen bases across the two games, consistently applying pressure offensively while limiting North Central's chances at the plate.
St. Scholastica is currently scheduled to open MIAC play on Wednesday, April 1, hosting Macalester for a doubleheader at Wade Stadium, weather and field conditions permitting.
