Notables
-Saints out-hit UWW in both games
-Game two is first extra inning game of the season for CSS
-Game two is the third 10+ run game of the year
-Career-high five RBI's for Neutzling in game two
-Neutzling ties program-record with three doubles in game two
WHITEWATER, Wis. (csssaints.com) - The St. Scholastica baseball team suffered a 10-5 loss in game one and earned a 10-8 extra-inning victory in the nightcap against No. 4 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on Wednesday.
Game 1: UWW 10, CSS 5
A rough fourth inning for the Saints, with eight runs coming across for Whitewater, pushed the Warhawks ahead of CSS, with a final score of 10-5 in game one of the doubleheader. The Saints led off the game with two hits in the first inning, a single from Tyler Duex and from Brian Minks, but they would leave both men on the bases.
The second and third were more of the same for the CSS offense, until finally in the fourth inning the Saints put a man across home plate thanks to a double from Conor Wollenzien to start the inning. He was brought around on a ground ball from Joey Zwak, followed by a single from Riley Bernsdorf, who was credited with the RBI. The bottom of the fourth saw a lot of success from the Warhawks, unfortunately for the Saints. Whitewater collected eight runs on five hits, taking advantage of some pitching difficulties - a balk, two walks, two wild pitches, and a beaned batter - and a fielding error. This dug the Saints into a 8-1 run disparity that they would not manage to overcome.
The Warhawks managed one more run in the bottom of the fifth to put them ahead 9-1. To start off the seventh inning, Tim Munn singled to left field. He advanced his way to third on a balk and a ground out from Drew Colvard. Then Trevor Bernsdorf followed Colvard with a grounder for the RBI, making the score 9-2. The Warhawks took one more run in the bottom of the seventh, for their last scoring inning of the game.
The Saints put up a fight in the top of the ninth for their last chance at the plate. R. Bernsdorf walked to start things off, followed by a single from Munn to put men on first and second base. A fly ball from the Saints gave Whitewater one out. T. Bernsdorf then grounded out to first, but advanced the baserunners to second and third. A big RBI double from Duex scored Munn and Bernsdorf. A follow-up double from Minks scored Duex for the third run of the inning, but it was all the Warhawks would allow, and the game ended with a score of 10-5.
Four pitchers got in for the Saints. Dan Hansen was on the mound for CSS to take the loss, striking out two during his 3.1 innings played. Joe Gonrowski stepped in for five outs and collected two strikeouts. Jordan Thompson played two full innings and recorded three strikeouts. Matt Hanson also saw an inning of play. Duex led the offense, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs, followed by Minks, who also had three hits and an RBI. Austin Jones took the win for Whitewater, allowing one run and earning seven strikeouts.
Game 2: CSS 10, UWW 8 (F/11)
The Saints found more success in the second game, out-hitting the Warhawks 15-9 and earning the 10-8 victory in 11 innings.
The first run of the game came from the Saints in the third inning on a Steven Neutzling RBI double to right center, scoring Minks on the play. Neutzling then made it across the plate thanks to a single from Wollenzien, putting the Saints up 2-0.
UWW scored one man on a throwing error in the bottom of the fourth to get themselves on the scoreboard. Then a three-run homer from the Warhawks put them up 4-2 to end the fourth. The Saints answered in the top of the fifth, with three runs coming on a double from Neutzling. The hit itself scored Minks and Duex. Neutzling advanced to third on the throw, then made it across the plate on a error by the Warhawks catcher to make the score 5-4 in favor of the Saints.
The Warhawks (10-2) were not to be outdone, and managed three runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning, regaining the 7-5 lead. In the bottom of the eighth, UWW pushed one more man home to give them their last run of the game.
CSS made the top of the ninth count, collecting three runs on three hits. RBIs came from Neutzling and Wollenzien, and Duex scored on an error. This tied the score at 8-8 and forced the game into extra innings.
The deciding runs were not scored until the 11th inning. Neutzling had yet another RBI to earn the go-ahead run. With two outs, Neutzling advanced to third on a passed ball, then scored on a throwing error during the next at bat. The Warhawks would have one more chance at the plate, but would not capitalize, earning the Saints the 10-8 victory.
The Saints cycled through four more pitchers during the game. Jacob Dzubay started things off, playing four full innings and earning a strikeout. Nick Peterson and Sam Sorenson covered the middle three innings, followed by Isaac Rocha who finished things out and earned the "W" for the Saints, collecting two strikeouts in his four innings played.
At bat, Neutzling went 4-for-6 with five RBIs. All four hits were extra base hits with three doubles and one triple. Wollenzien went 3-for-5 with two RBIs.
Up Next
After a postponed game last weekend, the Saints (7-6) will be hosting their home opener on Saturday when they face the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. The doubleheader matchup is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m at Wade Stadium.