DULUTH, Minn. -- The St. Scholastica baseball team closed out its 2026 season on a sunny Saturday afternoon at Wade Stadium, dropping both games of a MIAC doubleheader to Concordia College (Minn.).
With the results, the Saints finish the year 20-19 overall and 9-11 in conference play, falling just short of a MIAC playoff berth. St. Scholastica needed help coming into the weekend, but Saint Mary's sweep of Carleton on Friday officially eliminated the Saints from postseason contention.
In game one, the Saints were held in check offensively in a 4-1 loss despite matching Concordia with eight hits. The Cobbers struck early with two runs in the second inning and added single runs in the third and fifth to build a 4-0 lead. St. Scholastica's lone run came in the third on a sacrifice fly from Damian Tamayo-Vera, scoring Ben Schefers (Cologne, MN/Central HS).
Schefers and Finley Spicer (Aberdeen, N.C./Union Pines HS (Limestone University)) each recorded two hits to lead the Saints, while Luke Krull (Greenville, WI/Xavier HS) also added a pair of hits at the top of the lineup. The Saints had opportunities throughout but were unable to string together timely hits against the Concordia pitching staff.
Game two provided more late-game drama, as the Saints rallied from an early deficit and briefly took control before falling 9-6 in 11 innings. After trailing 2-1 through five innings, senior Damian Tamayo-Vera delivered a highlight moment in his final collegiate game, launching a solo home run in the sixth inning to ignite a four-run frame and give the Saints their first lead of the afternoon.
Finley Spicer (Aberdeen, N.C./Union Pines HS (Limestone University)) led the way offensively in the nightcap, finishing with three hits, including a double and triple, and driving in two runs. Tamayo-Vera added two hits and an RBI, while Andrew Beffel (Highlands Ranch, CO/Mountain Vista HS) chipped in with a pair of hits and an RBI.
Concordia responded with two runs in the seventh and tied the game in the ninth, capitalizing on a passed ball to even the score at 6-6. The game remained deadlocked into extra innings before the Cobbers broke through with three runs in the 11th to secure the sweep.
The Saints threatened in the bottom of the 11th, with Spicer tripling to right-center, but were unable to bring him home as the comeback attempt fell short.
Prior to the doubleheader, St. Scholastica honored its 10 graduating seniors as part of Senior Day festivities, recognizing their contributions to the program both on and off the field. Tamayo-Vera's sixth-inning home run in game two served as a fitting send-off moment for the senior class.
