Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score | Photos (Michael Hemmelgarn)

CHANDLER, Ariz. – Saint John's split a doubleheader with Wisconsin-La Crosse on Tuesday, March 15, in Chandler, Ariz. La Crosse won the first game 13-3 and the Johnnies scored two unanswered runs in the sixth to win the second, 4-3.

The Eagles (3-2 overall) rattled junior Hayden Zimmerman (New Richmond, Wis.) for eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits in 2.2 innings. UWL's Bryant Rude went the distance allowing three hits, two to junior designated hitter Bert Marsnik (Annandale, Minn.), with 13 strikeouts. The Johnnies scored all three runs in the seventh. Twelve of Zimmerman's 19 batters faced had two strikes in the count. Seven of the nine hits were slapped into right field.

Sophomore Connor Cline (Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson) went the distance in game two, allowing three runs (only one earned) on five hits with five strikeouts.

Sophomore third baseman Max Forster (Minnetonka, Minn./Hopkins) gave SJU a 1-0 lead with an RBI single in the second and junior shortstop Matt Butorac (Maple Grove, Minn.) roped an RBI double in the third, the first of two doubles in the game.

UWL took the lead with three runs in the fourth inning, only one of which was earned.

SJU (3-1 overall) tied and gained the lead with unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth. Senior Brett Kramer (Baxter, Minn./Brainerd) traded his pitching glove for a second baseman's mitt and ripped an opposite-field double to the left-field fence, scoring Forster. A single by senior outfielder Matt Boys (Eden Prairie, Minn./Minnetonka) moved Kramer to third before junior Luke Sweeter (Sartell, Minn./Sartell-St. Stephen) plated the winning run with a pinch-hit sacrifice fly. Butorac, Kramer and senior outfielder Eric Smith (Rogers, Minn.) posted two hits apiece.

The Johnnies return to the Gene Autry Sports Complex in Mesa for a nine-inning game Wednesday, March 16, against Western New England. The game is scheduled for 11 a.m. (1 p.m. CST).