Two top-10 ranked teams. Two programs that placed third and second, respectively in the last two national tournaments. Two nine-inning games. Six hours of action on the day with the first pitch at 1:12 p.m., and the last out at 7:58 p.m.
The final result? A doubleheader split Wednesday in St. Paul in non-conference baseball for No. 9-ranked UW-La Crosse and No. 10-ranked St. Thomas.
The Eagles (19-6) rapped seven consecutive hits to start the first inning, went on to score six runs in the frame, and cruised to a 14-6 win in the opener. It was La Crosse's 12th game scoring 10 or more runs this season, and it halted the Toms' 12-game win streak.
The Tommies (20-4) built a six-run inning of their own in game two erasing a 3-0 deficit with six runs in the fourth inning. UST sophomore Ryan Zimmerman threw four scoreless innings of relief to get the victory as St. Thomas held on to win 8-4.
In game two, with darkness setting in on the lights-free diamond, the Eagles left the bases loaded in the eighth and ninth innings after the Toms left the bases full in the fourth and eighth innings.
La Crosse senior Taylor Kohlwey went 4-for-9 on the day to break the Eagles' record for career hits. He tied the mark of 232 and broke the record with a first-inning single in game two.
UST's Dan Ziemann and Brady Johnson each had four hits on the day. Ziemann drove in five runs on the day including a double, solo homer and bases-loaded walk in game two. Johnson hit a two-run homer in the opener and in game two hit a two-run single to put UST ahead to stay at 4-3.
Jake Smith extended a streak of reaching base with a hit or walk to 21 games, including at least one hit in 13 games in a row.
Tommie sophomore J.J. Jeronimus started game two and pitched into the fifth inning, allowing three runs. Zimmerman came on in the fifth with none out and one runner aboard and retired 12 of 16 batters he faced, with four strikeouts. Zimmerman is 4-0 with an 0.43 ERA in 21 innings over seven appearances this season.
The Tommies, 10-0 in the conference with 10 games to play, picked up another game on the loss side as second-place St. John's (8-4) split with St. Olaf. UST is home Saturday to play third-place Carleton (5-3) in a 1 p.m. twinbill.