Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Saint John's split with No. 1 St. Thomas on Wednesday, April 7, in St. Paul. The Johnnies (10-11, 3-1 MIAC) defeated the Tommies (16-2, 3-1 MIAC) 2-1 in game one, ending their 13-game winning streak, but fell to the home team 3-2 in game two.
Senior Andrew Aebly (Madison, Wis./Edgewood) pitched a gem in game one, scattering six hits while allowing one run, which was unearned. He struck out three walked none in the complete-game victory.
A two-out, RBI-single by senior outfielder Andrew Gurbada (Royalton, Minn.) tied the game at 1-1 in the second inning. Sophomore outfielder Jimmy Loonan (Waseca, Minn.) walked to lead-off the fifth and a sacrifice bunt by Gurbada moved him to second. Loonan then advanced to third on a groundout by junior catcher Brian Skluzacek (Cold Spring, Minn./Rocori) before senior second baseman Joe Eiden (Maple Grove, Minn./Totino-Grace) drove him in for what proved to be the game-winning run.
The win snapped a five-game losing streak to UST and served as the Tommies' first loss to an NCAA Division III opponent in 18 games going back to last season. UST's only other loss this season was to NCAA Division I Minnesota (5-4 on March 10).
SJU surrendered a 2-0 lead by allowing three runs in the Tommies' fifth inning of game two.
The Johnnies received another impressive pitching performance, this time from junior Brett Kramer (Baxter, Minn./Brainerd). Kramer allowed three runs, two earned, on only two UST hits. He struck out six and walked only one in five innings of work. Freshman Connor Cline (Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson) pitched a scoreless inning of relief.
SJU took a 1-0 lead on an RBI-groundout by Loonan in the second inning. The Johnnies extended their lead to 2-0 on bases-loaded double-play ball with nobody out in the third.
The Tommies cut the deficit to 2-1 on a wild pitch, then added two more runs on sac flies.
The Johnnies return home to host St. Olaf this Saturday, April 10. The doubleheader is set for 1 p.m. at Saint John's Field in Collegeville.
