Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

ROSEVILLE, Minn. – Saint John's baseball swept Northwestern, the 900th and 901st wins of head coach Jerry Haugen's career, by scores of 10-1 and 3-1 on Wednesday, March 26.

The pair of victories enabled Haugen to become the 27th coach in NCAA Division III baseball history to reach 900 in a career (901-727-5 record).

The Johnnies' (10-7 overall) offense was led by a pair of juniors – right fielder Brendan Hemr (Blaine, Minn./Centennial) and shortstop Reed Marquardt (Lindstrom, Minn./Chisago Lakes) – and received complete-game performances from sophomore Hunter Hoen (Belle Plaine, Minn.) and freshman Drew Lange (Albany, Minn./Holdingford) on the mound. Marquardt went 4-for-5 with two runs, two RBI and three walks, while Hemr recorded a 3-for-6 performance with two home runs, four RBI, three runs scored and two walks. Hemr has now reached based safely in 11-straight games, including a nine-game hit streak.

Hoen and Lange, meanwhile, held UNW (5-9, 3-0 UMAC) to 2-for-20 with runners on base and 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position on the day.

Game 1 – Saint John's 10, Northwestern 1
The Johnnies broke open a 3-1 game with seven runs over the final three innings for the convincing win.

The visitors picked up an unearned run in the first inning and made it 3-0 on a sacrifice fly from senior catcher Blake Mellgren (Northfield, Minn.) and an RBI double off the bat of Marquardt in the second.

The Eagles erased the shutout with a run in the third inning and SJU pulled away with two runs or more in each of the final three frames.

Senior first baseman Owen Best (Aurora, Colo./Regis Jesuit) walked with two outs in the fifth inning and Hemr blasted his second home run of the season in the next at-bat. Junior left fielder Owen Amrhein (Waconia, Minn.) singled to start the sixth inning, moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on a double from sophomore designated hitter Zach Helfmann (St. Louis Park, Minn.). Helfmann advanced to third on another wild pitch and scored on a two-out single by Marquardt. Mellgren roped a two-run double with two outs in the seventh and a passed ball enabled the Johnnies to score their 10th run.

Hoen collected the complete-game victory, the first of his collegiate career in his second start, allowing the lone run on three hits with six strikeouts.

Mellgren (3), Hemr (2) and Marquardt (2) totaled two RBI or more each.

Game 2 – Saint John's 3, Northwestern 1
SJU broke through the scoreless stalemate with two runs in the top of the third inning thanks to an RBI single from Hemr and a bases-loaded walk by sophomore designated hitter Alex Matchey (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater Area).

UNW cut the deficit in half – 2-1 – on a two-out wild pitch with runners on the corners in the sixth inning. Hemr, however, padded the Johnnies' lead with a solo homer with one out in the top of the seventh inning.

Lange posted his first collegiate win in his first start (fourth appearance). He surrendered the one run on three hits with four strikeouts.

The Johnnies return home to host Macalester (4-8 overall) for the MIAC opener at 2:30 p.m. Friday, March 28, at Haugen Field at Becker Park. The doubleheader was originally scheduled for Saturday (March 29) but was moved a day earlier due to the weather forecast for this weekend.