Notables
-CSS' first 5-0 start since 2006
-Colvard was 5-for-6 with four runs scored for the day
-Neutzling extends reached base streak to 40 games
-Tautges earns first collegiate victory in game two
AUBURNDALE, Fla. (csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica baseball team had little trouble sweeping Iowa Wesleyan University on Monday at the Russmatt Invitational.
Game 1: CSS 5, IWU 0
The Saints scored in each of the first three innings and sophomore Dan Hansen registered eight strikeouts as St. Scholastica defeated the Tigers (5-5) in game one 5-0.
In the bottom of the first, Joey Zwak reached on an error and Steven Neutzling doubled to put runners at second and third. Conor Wollenzien followed with a two-run single to give CSS an early 2-0 lead.
In the second inning, Neutzling and Wollenzien had two more RBIs to extend the lead to 4-0. Aaron Weber then led off the third inning with a home run over the left field fence to make the score 5-0.
Hansen struck out two batters in each of the first three innings. He added strikeouts in the fifth and sixth innings to finish with eight on the day, while allowing only two hits. The Tigers had only two base runners reach second base. Jake Turner shut the door in the seventh.
Wollenzien was 3-for-4 with three RBIs to lead the offense. Colvard was 3-for-3 at the plate with a run scored.
Game 2: CSS 13, IWU 2
St. Scholastica scored seven runs in the final two innings to pull away from the Tigers in the nightcap and complete the sweep with a 13-2 victory.
Iowa Wesleyan pushed its first run of the day across in the bottom of the first to take a 1-0 lead. CSS responded in the second when Riley Bernsdorf drew a two-out walk and Bobby Eckert followed with a two-run home run over the left field fence to give the Saints a 2-1 lead. Back-to-back doubles by Tim Munn and Colvard added another run to make it 3-1.
After the Tigers cut the lead to 3-2 in the third, the Saints had another three-run inning in the fourth. Colvard had a RBI to plate Eckert and put the margin back at two. Zwak followed with a RBI single and Brad Fossum had his first RBI as a Saint as St. Scholastica led 6-2.
Neutzling had a RBI single and Weber a sacrifice fly in the sixth to extend it to 8-2. CSS added five more runs in the seventh. Neutzling had a two-run single. Weber drew a bases loaded walk and Sam Peterson had a two-run double for his first hit as a Saint to make the final 13-2.
Matt Tautges went four innings, scattering three hits and striking out two to earn his first collegiate win. Aidan Zurn pitched two innings in relief, allowing only hit. It was Zurn's first innings on the mound since March 23, 2016 as he has been battling back from injury. Nick Peterson pitched a perfect final inning to end things.
Neutzling, Eckert, Munn and Colvard all had two hits in the contest. Neutzling finished with three RBIs. CSS drew 10 walks with Eric Pearson taking the base on balls three times.
Up Next:
The Saints (5-0) do not have another varsity game until Thursday when they take on Webster University (Mo.) at 5 p.m. (ET).