Notables
- Longest known game in program history.
- The Saints allowed zero earned runs in the 15 innings of play
- Bethel entered on a 12-game win streak and ranked No. 24 in the ABCA poll
- Turner picks up first win of the season behind seven shutout innings in relief

ST. PAUL (csssaints.com) - The College of St. Scholastica baseball team finally had the opportunity to take on Bethel University Wednesday night, having to reschedule the Royals after unplayable field conditions postponed the original meeting in Duluth on Sunday. The game proved to be a thriller as the teams batted until the 15th inning, which is when Joey Zwak scored the game-winning run after a close play at the plate to give the Saints the 3-2 victory.  
 
The Action
In the first inning, which may seem like a very long time ago to anyone who attended or watched the game online, is where the first of three runs would be scored for CSS. After a Steven Neutzling triple with one out, Conor Wollenzien doubled to left field to score the first run of the game.
 
Dallas Miller received the nod for the Saints, stepping on the mound and making quick work in the bottom half of the first inning to hold the CSS lead at 1-0. He wouldn't be so fortunate in the second inning, as the Royals plated two runs to take the 2-1 lead. Despite the scoreboard reading 2-1 after two innings of play in favor of Bethel, Miller had yet to give up an earned run as a costly error was the reasoning behind the scoring.
 
The third inning would be quick for both teams, as each side went three-and-out to advance to the fourth. A two-out rally in the top of the fourth helped the Saints tie the game up, thanks in part to a Zwak single that scored Bobby Eckert after he was hit by a pitch.
 
The Saints loaded the bases in the fifth inning but couldn't muster a run across to keep the score tied at 2-2. Miller forced a much-needed ground ball in the bottom half of the inning to help the CSS defense turn a double play to head to the sixth inning. Miller continued to dominate, striking out the side in the sixth and keeping the game scoreless after seven. However, Noah Luedtke of Bethel's pitching crew didn't allow a run to score either as the eighth inning approached.
 
Joe Gonrowski then took over for Miller, keeping the Royals quiet heading into the ninth. Jake Turner would take over for Gonrowski in the ninth inning, working out of a jam to send the game to extra innings. Brad Fossum was the first player to make some noise in extras, hitting a single in the top of the 10th. That would be it for action in the 10th, as the Saints came up short of knocking in Fossum and Turner worked his magic with a three-and-out in the bottom half.
 
The 11th inning was almost the one for the Saints. With two outs, Aaron Weber singled through the left side of the field with two men on base. Neutzling rounded third and headed for home, but was tagged out on a play at the plate to keep the game, still, at 2-2. Once again, in the bottom half of the 11th inning Turner forced another Bethel 1-2-3 inning with two strikeouts in the outing.
 
After two smooth innings of work, Turner met a big challenge in the bottom of the 12th inning. After hitting Bethel batter Michael Wesn, the bases were loaded for the Royals with only one out. The next at-bat would be crucial, as any ball in play could threaten the walk-off win for Bethel. Turner, however, didn't even let the ball go in play as he struck out another Royal batter to earn the second out of the inning. Sam Horner of the Royals was inches away from becoming the hero in the next at-bat, as he drilled a ball to deep center field. Drew Colvard had other ideas, however, as the center fielder made a spectacular catch. The third out gave the Saints another inning to work with as Turner left the mound with a point to Colvard and a big-time fist pump.
 
The 13th and 14th innings would remain scoreless for both teams, forcing a 15th inning as the clock hit 10:30 p.m. In the 15th inning, with runners on second and third, Eric Pearson hit a sharp ground ball to the left side of the field. Zwak, the base runner on third base, sprinted home. The ball came in to the catcher from the left side of the infield, but the ball would be bobbled and Zwak slid in safely to give the Saints the 3-2 lead. Turner once again stayed solid on the mound in the bottom half of the inning, managing to get the three final outs for the Saints and earn a well-deserved win on the night.
 
Miller, Gonrowski, and Turner pitched 15 innings of baseball without giving up an earned run to keep the Saints alive and give the bats the time they needed to heat up. Zwak and Neutzling each went 3-for-7 from the plate with a run scored to lead the Saints offensively. Riley Bernsdorf went 2-for-6 from the batter's box and earned two free passes.
 
Up Next
The Saints (6-3) will now have a day off before heading over the border to take on the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in doubleheader fashion on Friday. The first game will start at 1 p.m.