Polars Make History, Baseball Defeats Saint John's for First Time in School History

Collegeville, Minn. - The Polars baseball team faced off with the Saint John's Johnnies on Tuesday and came out on top for the first time in school history.

Payton Clevenger got the start and thre 2.2 innings for Crown. Saint John's gathered the early lead after scoring 2 runs in both the bottom of the 1st and 2nd innings to take to 4-0 lead. After 5 innings of scoreless offense for Crown Ashton Long tied up the ball game with one swing of the bat. An opposite field blast to right center field with 2 strikes in the count tied up the score at 4-4 for a grand slam. 

The Polars took the lead in the top of the 7th inning after setting the Johnnies down in order. Back to back hits from Tyler Olson and Drew Girtz set the table for Mason Brock who sent a deep fly ball into center field for a sacrifice fly and the 5-4 lead. However the Johnnies answered the Crown 7th with a two run inning taking the lead back 6-5.  Aidan Volk-Specht came in and got the Polars out of the bases loaded jam. 

Matthew Shaugabay led off the 8th inning with a single and found home plate after an Olson triple. A fielding error from the Johnnies allowed the Polars to take th 7-6 lead. Volk-Specht and Tristan Camp came in and shut the door allowing Crown to take the 7-6 victory. This win over the Johnnies marks the first time a Crown team has defeated Saint John's.

Four Polars had multi-hit efforts with Long, Olson, Girtz, and Tyler Bloom earning 2 hits each. Jefferson Barmoy, Volk-Specht, and Camp all allowed no earned runs on the mound in their outings.

Crown moves to 16-16 on the season and will next face off in a three game series at home against Northwestern in the final series of regular season UMAC play.