Third-seeded Saint John's baseball opens the double-elimination MIAC Tournament against second-seeded Macalester at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 7, at CHS Field in St. Paul. - Listen Live (WBHR-660 AM) | Live Stats | Live Video (PPV) | MIAC Tournament Website/Tickets

TICKET INFORMATION: All tickets will be sold and purchased online through the St. Paul Saints (on the MLB platform). There will not be cash sales at the venue. However, spectators can purchase tickets using a mobile device, including while at the venue. The rate is $12.49 for adults and $9.20 for any student with an ID (children aged 5 years old and younger are free). One ticket is good for the entire day of games. The Saints will allow for stadium re-entry each day; fans will get their hand stamped if they leave and plan to return. There is no senior discount. MIAC Passes will be honored. No other passes will be accepted. – Thursday Tickets | Friday Tickets | Saturday Tickets

CHS FIELD: No outside food, beverage, cans, bottles, chairs or coolers may be brought into the ballpark. Additionally, alcohol and tobacco are strictly prohibited inside CHS Field for the MIAC Playoffs. Service animals are allowed inside the stadium; however, other pets must stay at home. Fans should review the list of prohibited items at CHS Field before traveling to the stadium. A full ballpark guide to CHS Field can be found here. As a reminder, fans are not allowed onto the field at any time, including after the championship game.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Thursday, May 7
G1: (No. 1) Bethel vs. (No. 4) Saint Mary's, 2:30 p.m.
G2: (No. 2) Macalester vs. (No. 3) Saint John's, 7 p.m.

Friday, May 8
G3: G1 Loser vs. G2 Loser, 12 p.m.
G4: G1 Winner vs. G2 Winner, 3 p.m.
G5: G4 Loser vs. G3 Winner, 6 p.m.

Saturday, May 9
G6: G4 Winner vs. G5 Winner, 3 p.m.
G7: 25 minutes after G6, if necessary

TOURNAMENT RULES: Two changes to the league policy were made by the MIAC baseball coaches prior to the 2024 conference tournament:

-The 10-run rule is in effect for the MIAC Tournament (must complete seven innings, like the regular season).
-The home team is designated to the higher seed throughout the tournament.

A LOOK AT THE JOHNNIES: Saint John's (25-14, 13-7 MIAC) closed its regular-season schedule Monday (May 4) with an 11-5, non-conference win over Minnesota-Morris. The Johnnies broke open a 5-4 lead with six runs on five hits in the bottom of the eighth inning. SJU batted 7-for-14 with runners in scoring position, while holding Minnesota-Morris to a 4-for-16 showing. UMM went 0-for-8 with two outs.

Junior center fielder Riley Schwellenbach (Woodbury, Minn./East Ridge) fell a home run short of the cycle, going 3-for-4 with three RBI, a double and a triple. Junior designate hitter Zach Helfmann (St. Louis Park, Minn.) and senior first baseman Collin Kray (Little Falls, Minn.) both went 2-for-4. Helfmann drove in two and finished 5-for-7 with seven RBI and three doubles in two games against the Cougars this season.

UMM found the scoreboard first with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth inning but SJU answered with one in the fifth and three in the sixth. Kray launched a ground-rule double with one out in the fifth and scored on Schwellenbach's first hit of the day – a single – two batters later.

Senior third baseman Reed Marquardt (Lindstrom, Minn./Chisago Lakes) walked to start the bottom of the sixth inning and scored on Helfmann's RBI double down the left-field line in the next at-bat. Junior catcher Will Wareham (Lakeville, Minn./North) walked and SJU risked leaving runners on second and third with nobody out, but Schwellenbach ripped a two-out triple to the left-center gap for a 4-2 lead.

A leadoff home run off the bat of the Cougars' Bradie Black cut the lead to one in the top of the seventh inning and Helfmann drove in an unearned run in the bottom half before the six-run eighth. A leadoff walk came around to score for UMM in the ninth inning for the game's final run.

Freshman Joseph Larson (Farmington, Minn.) made his first collegiate start and allowed one hit with three strikeouts in two innings. 

Sophomore Dylan Marciulionis (Esko, Minn.) earned the win with a pair of earned runs and four hits in four innings of work. 

Sophomore Ben Rudser (Woodbury, Minn./East Ridge) allowed one Morris run and struck out a batter in the top of the seventh before senior lefty Noah Jensen (St. Cloud, Minn./Sauk Rapids-Rice) earned a two-inning save with a trio of strikeouts and one earned run. Jensen entered the game with a 5-3 lead.

PITCHER OF THE WEEK x3: Freshman Max Edwards (Rockford, Minn.) was named the MIAC Baseball Pitcher of the Week for the third time this season on Monday (May 4). SJU won the seven-inning opener 3-0 over Carleton last Wednesday (April 29) in a snappy one hour and 29 minutes thanks to Edwards' complete-game effort in 76 pitches. He allowed three hits and struck out five to improve to 6-1 on the year with a 1.16 ERA, .156 opponent batting average and 56 punchouts in 54.1 innings. Eleven of Edwards' 21 outs were induced with two pitches or less, including six on the at-bat's first offering.

SJU's MIAC TOURNAMENT HISTORY: The Johnnies are making their 16th-consecutive appearance in the MIAC Tournament and the 18th overall since the format started in 2003. SJU is 20-27 in MIAC Tournament games with titles in 2012, 2015, 2016 and 2019. 

The No. 3 seed is SJU's sixth in the 18 appearances: 2007 (1-2 record), 2010 (0-2), 2017 (0-2), 2024 (0-2) and 2025 (0-2). Five of the 10 losses were decided by one run.

MIAC STATS: Seven Johnnies finished in the MIAC's top seven statistically in conference play. On the mound, Edwards led the MIAC in shutouts (2), tied for first in complete games (3), was second in both ERA (1.67) and opponent batting average (.179), tied for third in strikeouts (32) and was seventh in innings (32.1). Junior Matthew Magnuson (Chanhassen, Minn./Chaska) was third in opponent batting average (.189) and classmate Hunter Hoen (Belle Plaine, Minn.) tied for fourth in innings (35.2).

At the plate, senior left fielder Owen Amrhein (Waconia, Minn.) tied for first in the league in sacrifice flies (4), while junior second baseman Alex Matchey (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater Area) was second in triples (3) and tied for fourth in sacrifice bunts (3). Senior right fielder Brendan Hemr (Blaine, Minn./Centennial) claimed second in stolen bases (9), tied for second in home runs (5), was sixth in slugging percentage (.636) and tied for seventh in total bases (42). Freshman shortstop Will Koeppen (Minnetonka, Minn.) was third in fielding assists (58) and sixth in walks (14).

STAT COMPARISONS (ranked by conference play) 
Batting Average
2. BU, .325 (.330 overall)
3. MAC, .311 (.307 overall)
6. SJU, .287 (.295 overall)
7. SMU, .281 (.282 overall)

Slugging Percentage
1. BU, .527 (.531 overall)
4. MAC, .430 (.410 overall)
7. SJU, .389 (.413 overall)
8. SMU, .372 (.398 overall)

On-Base Percentage
1. BU, .442 (.448 overall)
2. MAC, .412 (.407 overall)
6. SMU, .386 (.390 overall)
7. SJU, .380 (.390 overall)

ERA
1. SJU, 3.82 (3.77 overall)
3. SMU, 4.19 (4.29 overall)
5. BU, 5.79 (5.29 overall)
6. MAC, 5.84 (5.86 overall)

Opponent Batting Average
1. SJU, .248 (.255 overall)
3. SMU, .269 (.273 overall)
5. MAC, .283 (.279 overall)
6. BU, .286 (.288 overall)

Fielding Percentage
1. SMU, .982 (.985 overall)
2. BU, .977 (.965 overall)
3. SJU, .975 (.964 overall)
7. MAC, .962 (.963 overall)

A LOOK AT THE SCOTS: Macalester (26-14, 15-5 MIAC) enters the MIAC Tournament with a 3-4 record over its last seven games, including a split with Hamline – 6-3 win and 10-4 loss – on Saturday night at CHS Field. Freshman outfielder John McMurray leads the team in batting (.393), hits (59) and RBI (42). Senior outfielder Raymond McCaskey is next with a .381 average, 53 hits and 31 RBI, to go with a team-best 50 runs scored and four home runs. Senior Ben King is 3-1 with a 5.56 ERA and leads the Scots' pitching staff in starts (9), innings pitched (43.2) and strikeouts 47).

ON APRIL 21: SJU mustered only four hits and suffered a 3-2, walk-off loss in the opener but responded with 11 hits – including eight for extra bases (seven doubles and a home run) – for a 10-2 victory in the nightcap and the split earlier this season in St. Paul. 

Game 1 – at Macalester 3, Saint John's 2
Macalester totaled three runs on seven hits to hand Edwards his lone loss of the season. He struck out six and walked four in 6.1 innings.

A leadoff walk stole second and scored on a two-out single for the Scots in the bottom of the first inning.

The Johnnies tied the game on a sacrifice fly from Schwellenbach in the top of the fifth inning, but senior infielder Nathan Gumagay launched a solo homer down the left-field line.

Marquardt reached on a fielding error by the left fielder with one out in the top of the seventh inning and junior catcher Mason McCurdy (Lake Elmo, Minn./Stillwater Area) evened the score at 2-2 with a double in the next at-bat, but was stranded at second.

The Scots recorded a one-out single and walk before senior outfielder Niko Alexander ripped the first pitch he saw down the left-field line for the walk-off RBI. 

Game 2 – Saint John's 10, at Macalester 2
SJU gained its first lead of the day in the top of the second inning after Wareham and Marquardt both doubled to start the frame and McCurdy followed with an RBI groundout.

Matchey led off the fourth inning with his second double of the game and Marquardt blasted a two-out, two-run shot to right field for a 3-0 lead.

The visitors tacked on two unearned runs – a sacrifice fly from junior first baseman Justin Brooks (Champlin, Minn./Champlin Park) and a balk – in the top of the fourth inning. 

MAC erased the shutout on a two-out single in the bottom of the fourth inning, but the Johnnies broke the game open with five runs in the top of the seventh. Four of SJU's first five batters reached and the Johnnies nearly batted around. McCurdy cracked a two-run double, scoring Hemr from second and Marquardt from first. The throw beat Marquardt to the plate, but he maneuvered his arm to avoid the catcher.

Schwellenbach advanced two runners with a sac bunt and Koeppen walked to load the bases for a pinch-hit, bases-clearing double from junior Tanner Hoemann (Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View).

Macalester scored the final run with another two-out single in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Hoen improved to 3-1 with the win, allowing the two runs on nine hits in seven innings of work. He struck out six.

Junior Brady Drkula (Cottage Grove, Minn./Park) made his season debut and pitched a hitless eighth inning with a strikeout and junior Carter Theisen (Rosemount, Minn.) closed the game with a scoreless ninth.

Macalester used eight pitchers, who only managed a combined two strikeouts to nine walks, in game two.

Eight of the 11 Johnnies with a plate appearance tallied a hit and 10 of the 11 reached base. Koeppen, Marquardt and Matchey had two hits apiece. Marquardt drove in two runs, while Hoemann and McCurdy had three RBI each.

SERIES HISTORY: SJU 54-14 against Macalester since 1993, including a 22-6 record over the last 28 meetings. The lone matchup in the MIAC Tournament was a 3-1 win for the Scots on May 14, 2011, in Minnetonka.

A LOOK AT THE ROYALS: Bethel (29-8, 17-3 MIAC) saw its five-game win streak end with Saturday's (May 2) split at SJU. Sophomore infielder Hayden Sperbeck has started all 37 games and leads BU in batting (.417) and hits (58). Junior first baseman Sam Abbas touts a team-best 12 homers and 49 RBI. Junior Jackson Hunter is 6-2 with a 4.58 ERA, .320 opponent batting average and 44 strikeouts in a team-leading 55 innings on the mound.

THIS PAST SATURDAY: SJU and BU split a doubleheader this past Saturday (May 2) in Collegeville. The Johnnies erased deficits of 2-0, 5-2 and 9-7 for a 10-9, walk-off win in the opener. Bethel, however, erased a 3-0 SJU lead with seven runs in the third inning and totaled 21 hits in a 17-9 victory in game two.

Outs were at a premium, as the two teams combined for 45 runs and 55 hits in the doubleheader, including 18 for extra bases and seven home runs. 

Hemr led SJU at the plate by going 4-for-7 with two home runs – including a grand slam in game one – five RBI and four runs scored in the two games. Six Johnnies had three hits or more on the day.

Game 1 – at Saint John's 10, Bethel 9
Down 9-7, Brooks tied the game with a two-run homer with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Senior Vinny Schleper (Shakopee, Minn.) induced a 1-2-3 top of the seventh inning before Schwellenbach smacked the first pitch he saw down the left-field line for a lead-off single in the bottom half. He moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt from Koeppen and advanced to third on an infield single from Hemr. Matchey followed by lining an 0-2 pitch into right field for the game-winning single.

BU gained the first lead of the game with a solo homer in the first inning and tacked on another run in the third.

Koeppen walked with one out in the third inning, sprinted to third base on a single from Hemr and scored on Matchey's first RBI single of the game. McCurdy plated Hemr with a fielder's choice to tie the game at 2-2.

Game one's circus effect started in the fourth inning. The Royals tallied three runs in the top of the frame for 5-2 advantage, but SJU answered with five runs on just one hit at the bottom half for a 7-5 lead. The Johnnies loaded the bases thanks to a hit batsman and two walks, and Koeppen brought in the first run with a four-pitch walk with one out. Hemr followed with an opposite-field grand slam, his second of the season (the team's third), for the Johnnies' first lead.

A quiet fifth inning led to another back-and-forth sixth. BU erased the deficit, and then some, with four two-out runs before Brooks tied it at 9-9 in the bottom half.
Schleper improved to 2-0 with the win. Freshman lefty Dylan Bloom (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater Area) made the start and allowed five runs on five hits in 3.1 innings. Magnuson relieved him and surrendered four runs on five hits in 2.2.

Game 2 – Bethel 17, at Saint John's 9
Hemr walked with one out in the bottom of the first inning and scored on a triple off the bat of Matchey, his fourth of the season. McCurdy made it 2-0 with an RBI groundout in the ensuing at-bat. Helfmann walked with one out in the second inning and scored from second base on a two-out single from Koeppen for a 3-0 lead.

The Royals took advantage of four hits and four free passes (one hit batsmen and three walks) for the crooked number of seven in the top of the third inning and added another in the fourth.

Brooks started the bottom of the fourth inning with a double and scored on a sac fly from Amrhein and the home team followed a similar formula in the fifth inning: Koeppen doubled to start and scored on a two-out single from McCurdy.

BU plated two runs in the sixth inning and four more in the seventh to threaten the 10-run rule with a 15-5 lead. The Johnnies, however, scored three runs with two outs in the bottom of the seventh to extend the game. Kray stroked an RBI single and Amrhein brought in two more with a hit up the middle.

Hemr launched another homer to right-center field with one out in the eighth inning before Bethel ended the scoring with a two-run bomb in the ninth.

Drkula gave up the first five runs on four hits in 2.1 innings for the loss. 

Amrhein (3-4), Koeppen (3-5) and Kray (3-3) all had three hits in the loss. Kray entered the contest as a defensive replacement in the sixth inning.

SERIES HISTORY: SJU is 48-37 against Bethel since 1988, but just 20-22 in the series over the last 42 meetings since 2009. The Johnnies are 2-7 all-time against the Royals in the MIAC Tournament (0-3 at CHS Field, 0-1 in Cold Spring, 0-2 in Collegeville, 2-1 in Minnetonka) with losses in each of the last six postseason meetings.

A LOOK AT THE CARDINALS: Saint Mary's (24-15, 12-8 MIAC) brings a three-game win streak to St. Paul Thursday thanks to a sweep of Carleton – 7-4 and 14-1 (7 inn.) – last Friday (May 1) in Northfield. Senior infielder Gavan Schulte leads the Cardinals with a .341 batting average and is tied with senior first baseman Reese Berg for the first with 44 hits. Schulte is second to senior infielder Josh Costello (28) with 27 RBI and leads the team in stolen bases (13). Junior pitcher Kasey Carlson is 7-1 with a 4.22 ERA, .233 opponent batting average and 30 strikeouts in 53.1 innings.

IN LATE MARCH: SJU lacked the key hit for the second-straight doubleheader in a pair of losses, 3-2 and 4-1, to Saint Mary's earlier this season on March 29 in Collegeville.

The Johnnies out-hit the Cardinals 15-14 but batted .208 (5-for-24) with runners on base, including a 3-for-18 (.167) performance with runners in scoring position, and 4-for-19 (.211) with two outs in the doubleheader. 

Game 1 – Saint Mary's 3, at Saint John's 2
SJU gained a quick 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Koeppen coaxed a leadoff walk, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Matchey and scored on an RBI single off the bat of Brooks.

SMU followed a similar formula to tie the game in the top of third when a leadoff walk moved to third on a pair of groundouts and scored on a two-out single from Alex Hanneman. 

The Cardinals gained their first lead of the game with a single run in the top of the sixth inning, but the Johnnies answered with a run of their own in the bottom half of the frame. McCurdy stroked a leadoff single and advanced to second on a sac bunt from Hemr. McCurdy made it to third on a groundout and scored the tying run on a two-out single from Schwellenbach. 

Saint Mary's loaded the bases in the top of the seventh inning with a hit batsmen, sandwiched by a pair of singles, and scored what proved to be the game-winning run on a wild pitch.

Edwards allowed two runs on four hits in six innings of the no-decision. He struck out six and walked three.

Marciulionis took the loss, allowing the third run on two hits in 0.1 innings. Senior Jack Dobesh (Edina, Minn.) recorded the final two outs of the seventh inning with the bases loaded.

Brooks and Koeppen went 2-for-3 at the plate to pace SJU in the opener.

Game 2 – Saint Mary's 4, at Saint John's 1
The Johnnies scored first in game two, but the visitors scored four answered runs on a pair of two-run, extra-base hits.

Hemr started his 4-for-4 showing at the plate with a leadoff single in the bottom of the third inning. Amrhein and Schwellenbach followed with bunt singles to load the bases before Koeppen lifted a sac fly to left for the 1-0 lead. Matchey walked to re-load the bases, but Brooks smacked a hard-hit, 6-4-3 double play to end the threat.

SMU's Gavin Schulte hit a two-out, two-run double off the right-center field fence in the top of the fourth and Ryan Csida cracked a two-run homer in the eighth. SJU left the bases loaded in the eighth inning.

Hoen took the loss after surrendering the four runs on eight hits in 7.1 innings. He struck out three and walked three.

Schleper (0.2) and Jensen (1.0) combined for 1.2 of hitless relief.

SERIES HISTORY: The Johnnies are 59-48 against Saint Mary's on the baseball diamond since 1974, but 5-7 over the last 12 games. SJU is 3-2 against the Cardinals in the MIAC Tournament: 2012 (W, 4-2 in Minnetonka); 2014 (L, 0-3 in Minnetonka); 2016 (W, 4-2 and W, 11-4 in Collegeville); and 2024 (L, 4-19 in seven inning at CHS Field).