Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score
COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – Saint John's clinched its third MIAC Tournament appearance with a pair of extra-inning victories over Gustavus Adolphus, 7-6 (8) and 4-3 (9), on Saturday, May 8, in Collegeville.
The Johnnies (21-16, 14-6 MIAC) took a 6-3 lead into the seventh inning of game one, only to allow three runs in the seventh before winning the contest in the eighth. SJU put together a four-run fifth inning, on six hits, to take a 4-2 lead. A two-run homer from senior first baseman Kyle Henkemeyer (Sauk Rapids, Minn./Sauk Rapids-Rice), the first of his collegiate career, gave SJU a 6-3 lead.
Sophomore Hayden Zimmerman (New Richmond, Wis.) entered the seventh to record his sixth save of the season, but instead allowed three runs on two hits, including two hit batsmen with the bases loaded, to tie the game.
Junior outfielder Matt Boys (Eden Prairie, Minn./Minnetonka) led off the eight with a double and advanced to third base on a sacrifice bunt from junior catcher Brian Skluzacek (Cold Spring, Minn./Rocori). Senior second baseman Joe Eiden (Maple Grove, Minn./Totino-Grace) then smacked a screamer back to the pitcher, who threw it to first, holding Boys at third. The Gusties (15-23,5-15 MIAC) proceeded to intentionally walk Henkemeyer and junior shortstop Matt Butorac (Maple Grove, Minn.) to load the bases. Sophomore designated hitter Bert Marsnik (Annandale, Minn.) then singled to left field for the walk-off win.
Junior Brett Kramer (Baxter, Minn./Brainerd) allowed three runs on seven hits, including six walks, in six innings of work. Senior Matt Johnson (Eagan, Minn.) earned the victory following a scoreless eighth.
Marsnik was 3-for-4 with two RBI, while Henkemeyer, Skluzacek and sophomore outfielder Jimmy Loonan (Waseca, Minn.) added two hits apiece.
The Johnnies' answered the Gusties' three-run first inning with three runs of their own in the second to tie the game at 3-3. A sacrifice fly from Boys and RBI-singles from Eiden and Henkemeyer accounted for the runs.
The stalemate continued to SJU's half of the ninth inning. Following a groundout to open the inning, Skluzacek and Eiden poked back-to-back singles before Henkemeyer was intentionally walked. Butorac hit into a fielder's choice, in which the lead runner was thrown out at the plate. Marsnik then hit a deep fly ball to center field, but the centerfielder drop the ball, scoring Eiden to end the game.
Johnson allowed three runs on seven hits in five innings. Zimmerman entered in relief to earn the win and improve to 8-1 on the season. He allowed only one hit with three strikeouts in four innings.
Eiden, Henkemeyer and Loonan collected two hits apiece to lead the Johnnies.
SJU will play either Concordia-Moorhead or St. Thomas at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, May 14, pending the Cobbers' doubleheader with Bethel on Sunday.
