02/28/07

The Saints got their 2007 season off on the right foot with a 12-1 win over Bethel University (0-1) in game one of a double-header at the Minneapolis Metrodome on Wednesday afternoon.

Lead off batter Chad Weiss helped spark St. Scholastica (1-0) with a 3-for-4 day at the plate including a single in the top half of the first inning in the season's first at bat. He would steal both second and third base, then come in to score the Saints' first run of the season on a Brandon Swartz sacrifice fly to center field that put the Saints up 1-0 over the Royals in the first inning.

Blake Eller, Keith Ritsche, and Sean Tracy each collected two hits apiece in the win, while both Eller and Weiss tallied 3 RBI each for the Saints.

Coach John Baggs sent 2006 UMAC Player of the Year Keith Ritsche out to the mound to start the season and Ritsche responded with four strong innings of one run, two hit ball to earn his first win of the year.

Mark Erickson came on in relief to start the fifth inning and pitched scoreless ball over the final three innings, striking out five without giving up a walk, and surrendering only three harmless singles in closing out the Saints opening-game victory.