Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score | Game 3 Box Score

SHAWNEE, Kan. – Saint John's baseball opened its 2026 season by taking two out of three games against Buena Vista (Iowa) over the weekend (Feb. 27-28) at the Mid-America Sports Complex.

The two teams combined for nine errors as Buena Vista (2-4 overall) took Friday's opener, 13-8. Only seven of the 21 total runs were earned. The Johnnies (2-1 overall) bounced back, however, by scoring seven runs in the first two innings, including five in the first, while a pair of pitchers combined to allow one run on six hits in an 11-1 win – the first of first-year head coach Scott Lieser's career – in the nightcap.

SJU closed the series Saturday with an 18-0 victory thanks to a 14-run fifth inning. Three pitchers combined for 11 strikeouts (to one walk) and seven hits allowed in the nine-inning shutout.

SJU batted .347 (26-for-75) with runners on base, including .393 (22-for-56) with runners in scoring position, and .357 (15-for-42) with two outs. Nearly half (16 of 33) of the team's RBI in the series came with two outs.

Senior right fielder Brendan Hemr (Blaine, Minn./Centennial) batted .462 (6-for-13) in the series and led SJU with seven runs scored to go with three doubles and three RBI.

Senior third baseman Reed Marquardt (Lindstrom, Minn./Chisago Lakes) and junior center fielder Riley Schwellenbach (Woodbury, Minn./East Ridge) drove in six runs apiece, while Marquardt scored six runs and cracked three doubles. 

Freshman shortstop Will Koeppen (Minnetonka, Minn.) led SJU with seven RBI and 11 assists in the field.

Game 1 – Buena Vista 13, Saint John's 8 (Friday)
The Beavers built a 13-4 lead thanks to a six-run fifth inning. The Johnnies rallied for four unearned runs in the top of the ninth inning, including a bases-clearing triple from Schwellenbach, but BVU held on for the win.

Junior Carter Theisen (Rosemount, Minn.) took the loss, allowing 11 runs (five earned) on 11 hits in four innings. He struck out two and walked three. Senior Vinny Schleper (Shakopee, Minn.) pitched the final four innings of relief and surrendered two unearned runs on two hits with four strikeouts.

Schwellenbach and senior first baseman Collin Kray (Little Falls, Minn.) led SJU with two hits apiece.

Game 2 – Saint John's 11, Buena Vista 1 (Friday)
The Johnnies wasted no time getting after their first win of the season with seven runs and seven hits in the first two innings of game two.

SJU added some insurance with four runs in the eighth inning, sparked by a two-run double off the bat of Hemr and an RBI single from junior first baseman Tanner Hoemann (Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View).

Junior Hunter Hoen (Belle Plaine, Minn.) took care of the rest, allowing the one run on six hits in seven innings of work for the win. He struck out a career-high eight and walked three.

Sophomore Ben Rudser (Woodbury, Minn./East Ridge) pitched the final two scoreless innings. He issued a walk for the lone baserunner and stuck out three.

Game 3 – Saint John's 18, Buena Vista 0 (Saturday)
SJU and Buena Vista played two scoreless innings before Koeppen delivered an RBI single in the third inning.

Junior designated hitter Zach Helfmann (St. Louis Park, Minn.) doubled the 1-0 lead with his first home run of the season and ninth of his career in the fourth inning. 

The wheels fell off for BVU in the fifth, as the Beavers committed two errors, surrendered two passed balls and a balk. Four Johnnies were walked by three different pitchers, and SJU worked its way through the lineup twice. 

Two of Marquardt's three doubles came in the fifth, driving in five total runs, while junior catcher Mason McCurdy (Lake Elmo, Minn./Stillwater Area) also doubled to score two teammates. 

Koeppen hit a two-out RBI single in the top of the eighth for the 18-0 final.

Junior Matthew Magnuson (Chanhassen, Minn./Chaska) made his first collegiate start and pitching appearance, allowing five hits in four innings and striking out five. 

Freshman Max Edwards (Rockford, Minn.) earned the win in his collegiate debut with four strikeouts and just two hits in four innings, while senior Jack Dobesh (Edina, Minn.) struck out two in a 1-2-3 ninth inning.

The Johnnies return south for another three-game series at Simpson (2-1 overall) this Saturday and Sunday, March 7-8, in Indianola, Iowa.