04/28/06

The Saints mustered only two hits in eight innings — at one point watching 11 batters go down in succession — before sophomore Mike Lewis’ one-out single got the Saints rolling in the ninth.

After a walk and a foul pop out, the Saints were down to their final batter when junior Kyle Rizzi stepped into the box as a pinch-hitter. His clutch single through the right side loaded the bases for freshman Grant Eller who fought off pitch after pitch before gaining a walk that forced in the Saints’ first run of the game.

The bases were still juiced for junior Chad Weiss who blooped a single just out of reach of a diving shortstop over the second base bag. With two outs the runners were going on contact and both Steve Kraushaar and pinch-runner Eric Hagen came around to score and tie the game up.

Junior Brandon Swartz stepped in next with two outs and runners at second and first, and delivered the game-winning hit — a sharp single to left that scored Eller from second giving the Saints one of their more amazing come-back wins in recent seasons.

Ben Grams (2-0) picked up the win on the mound for the Saints after coming on in relief of starter Keith Ritsche who allowed three runs (only two were earned) on five hits over six innings. Grams pitched hitless ball over the final three innings, and struck out three without a walk.

Brady Grohs pitched eight and a third innings in a stellar performance for Bethany, at one point setting down 11 Saints in a row, surrendered three hits and was charged with only one of the runs in the fateful ninth for the Vikings (13-19, 9-7 UMAC). Ben Rubenking (5-5) was charged with three runs on three hits and two walks in taking the loss.

The No. 5 Saints (29-3, 16-0 UMAC) and Vikings go at it again on Saturday with a doubleheader that begins at noon in Wade Stadium where the Saints have won 31 of their last 34 games.