CHICAGO – The 14th-ranked St. Scholastica baseball team jumped out to a 5-0 lead on Division I University of Illinois-Chicago, but the Flames kept on chipping away and eventually got past the Saints with a two-run single in the bottom of the ninth to win by a score of 6-5 on Saturday.
The Saints got off to a fast start as Brian Marshik led off the game with a single and then came around to score on Joe Link RBI-single. The hit extended Marshik's hitting streak to 10 games. Later in the inning, Scott Greening scored on a wild pitch to make it 2-0 after one.
In the bottom of the first, the Flames tried to score a runner from second on a CSS double play attempt, but first baseman Mike Harris cut down the runner at the plate to keep a two-run lead.
In the top of the second, the Saints extended their lead as Marshik and Kyle Moody had RBI-singles to make it 4-0.
After Mike Harris scored on a wild pitch in the top of the third, UIC got on the board in the bottom half with a run on a fielder's choice as the score stood at 5-1.
The Flames cut more into the St. Scholastica lead with two runs in the bottom of the fifth and then Jason Ganek hit solo home run in the seventh to make it 5-4.
Kyle Jensen came in relief of Matt Lewis in the seventh and got out of jam. He then quickly sat down the Flames in the eighth, meaning the Saints were three outs away from knocking off their first D-I opponent.
UIC led off the ninth by drawing a full count walk. A single followed to put runners at first and second. After a sacrifice put runners at second and third with one out, the Saints intentionally walked the next batter to load the bases. Jon Ryan stepped up next and ripped a shot just past the first baseman's glove to plate the tying and game-winning runs to give the Flames the 6-5 walk-off victory.
Kyle Jensen picked up the loss for the Saints. Matt Lewis pitched 6.2 innings and struck out four in the no decision. Joe Link led the Saints offensively, going 3-for-5 and also recording three stolen bases. CSS out-hit the Flames 11-9 in the contest.
The Saints fall 0-10 against Division I programs with four losses coming against the University of Minnesota, four losses and against the University of Kansas, and one loss each against Purdue University and now UIC.
The Saints will be back in Illinois next weekend for three games at Rockford College. The Saints will open with a doubleheader against Rockford on Saturday, beginning at 3 p.m. The Saints will then face Augsburg College on Sunday. All of the action can be heard on csssaints.com.