TUCSON, Ariz. — The Saint Mary's University baseball team kicks off its 2013 season with a 10-game spring trip to Tucson, Ariz. SMU opens with games against Wartburg and Concordia-Chicago on March 4.

SMU's Spring Trip Schedule:
Monday, March 4, 2013 | Kino Sports Complex | Tucson, Ariz.
SMU Cardinals (2012: 22-20) vs. Wartburg Knights (2012: 23-20), 9 a.m.
SMU Cardinals vs. Concordia-Chicago Cougars (2012: 33-14), 12:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013 | Kino Sports Complex | Tucson, Ariz.
SMU Cardinals vs. Presentation Saints (2012: 13-24), 11 a.m. (DH)
Wednesday, March 6, 2013 | Kino Sports Complex | Tucson, Ariz.
SMU Cardinals vs. Iowa Wesleyan Tigers (2012: 24-31), 10 a.m.
SMU Cardinals vs. Simpson Storm (2012: 18-24), 2 p.m.
Friday, March 8, 2013 | Kino Sports Complex | Tucson, Ariz.
SMU Cardinals vs. Illinois Institute of Technology Scarlet Hawks (2012: 5-32), 10 a.m. (DH)
Saturday, March 9, 2013 | Kino Sports Complex | Tucson, Ariz.
SMU Cardinals vs. Marian Sabres (2012: 16-22), 10 a.m.
SMU Cardinals vs. Concordia Chicago Cougars, 2 p.m.

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SMU vs. Spring Trip Field:
SMU vs. Concordia-Chicago | March 6, 2012 | Phoenix, Ariz.
SMU flexed its muscles a bit Tuesday, erupting for nine runs in the Cardinals' nine-inning nonconference game against Concordia-Chicago. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, nine runs was one too few, as the Cougars scored in six of the game's nine innings — including a walk-off, RBI single by Robert Weis in the bottom of the ninth inning — in handing SMU a 10-9 setback.

SMU vs. Simpson | March 6, 2012 | Phoenix, Ariz.
For second time in as many doubleheaders, the Cardinals dropped the opener against Simpson, falling to the Storm 7-6. And, for the second time in as many doubleheaders, the Cardinals bounced back with a Game 2 win, beating Simpson 4-2 behind the five-hit pitching of Will DeBruin (Neenah, Wis.).

SMU vs. Presentation | March 10, 2011 | Phoenix, Ariz.
The Cardinals were poised to win their first two games of the young season, only to have victory snatched away from them — twice — as Presentation scored five runs in the top of the sixth inning to erase a 5-2 SMU lead en route to a 7-5 win in the opener, then scored the game-winning run on a wild pitch during an intentional walk in an 8-7, eight-inning victory.

SMU vs. Marian | March 12, 2011 | Phoenix, Ariz.
Chris Bogie hurled a complete-game five-hitter and the Cardinals took advantage of a pair of Sabre errors in a three-run third inning, as SMU closed out its week-long spring trip with a 4-2 victory.

SMU vs. Wartburg | Feb. 28, 2007 | Minneapolis, Minn.
It was an odd start to the season for SMU. In the first, third and fifth innings, Cardinal pitchers were virtually untouchable, holding Wartburg scoreless on just one. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, there was nothing wrong with the Knights' bats in the even innings, as Wartburg scored six runs in the second inning and 10 more in the fourth, en route to a 16-1 victory over SMU in the first game of their nonconference doubleheader at the HHH Metrodome. There was no even-numbered onslaught for the Knights in Game 2 – in fact, there were few Wartburg runs at all. After their 16-run Game 1 outburst, the Knights managed just three runs off three Cardinal pitchers in Game 2 — and three runs was more than enough as Wartburg completed the sweep with a 3-1 victory.

SMU vs. Iowa Wesleyan / Illinois Institute of Technology
This week's meetings in Tucson, Ariz., will be the first in program history for the Cardinals against Iowa Wesleyan and Illinois Institute of Technology.

SMU Up Next:
SMU will get another shot at Wartburg on March 17 in a nonconference doubleheader at the HHH Metrodome. It will be the first of three nonconference doubleheader at the Metrodome, before the Cardinals kick off MIAC play on March 30 in Arden Hills, Minn., against Bethel.

Scouting The Saint Mary's Cardinals:
2013 Roster | 2012 Final Statistics | 2013 Schedule
SMU boasted three players on the All-MIAC First Team — Jon Schlemmer (De Pere, Wis.), Kevin Gannon (Roselle, Ill.) and Paul LaNasa (Mahtomedi, Minn.). It was the first time since the 2001 season that SMU had three or more players named to the MIAC's all-conference first team. … With their fourth-place regular-season finish a year ago, the Cardinals earned their first post-season appearance since 2002. … The Cardinals closed out the 2012 season with a 22-20 record — marking the first time SMU has reached the 20-win plateau since 1996, when they finished 23-15. … As a team, the Cardinals closed out the regular-season hitting .314 — only regular-season champion St. Thomas owned a better batting average among MIAC teams at .315. … The Cardinals closed out the 2012 regular season leading the MIAC in runs (217), hits (363), RBIs (195), doubles (78) and on-base percentage, while finishing second in slugging percentage (.422), total bases (1,369), at-bats (1,155) and walks (133). … SMU boasted nine players who finished the season hitting above .300, led by Gannon and Pat Krieger (Mendota Heights, Minn.) at .368 and .366, respectively. … Gannon also closed out his first season as a Cardinal leading the team in at-bats (144), runs (26), hits (53), doubles (16), RBIs (32) and total bases (74). … Gannon recorded a team-best 18 multiple-hit games. He and Danny Geraghty each put together 11-game hitting streaks this season. … Schlemmer owned a team-leading eight multiple-RBI games. … Schlemmer's four home runs this season came in two games. The sophomore recorded two-home run, five-RBI performances against Viterbo and St. Olaf this season. … SMU launched a season-high three home runs in its 11-8, Game 1 win over St. Olaf on April 18. Schlemmer hit two and Matt Tessmer (West St. Paul, Minn.) accounted for the other. … Tessmer's bomb was the first HR of his collegiate career. … Gannon and Zach Wolfe (Wabasha, Minn.) joined Tessmer as Cardinals who hit their first collegiate home runs last season. Gannon hit his first collegiate home run in Game 1 against Lewis & Clark on March 10, while Wolfe's first collegiate round-tripper came against Simpson on March 8. … Mike Feriancek (River Falls, Wis.) swiped a team-leading 20 bases on 22 attempts this season, while Gannon also reached double figures in stolen bases, finishing with 11. … LaNasa recorded both of the Cardinals' four-hit games, while Schlemmer's five RBIs vs. Viterbo and St. Olaf are a single-game team-best. … Teddy VanRanst (St. Paul, Minn.) was the ace of the Cardinals' pitching staff, picking up his team- and career-high sixth win against Carleton on May 9. … VanRanst closed out the season  with a 6-4 record and a 3.00 ERA. He threw a team-leading 66.0 innings — including seven innings in SMU's 4-2, 10-inning victory over St. Thomas in their MIAC Tournament-opener. He posted four complete games and one shutout, while also striking out 30 batters. … VanRanst's numbers for wins, ERA, innings pitched, complete games and shutouts were all career bests. … VanRanst lasted at least four innings in all 11 of his starts. … Justin Kronebusch (Altura, Minn.) led the squad with 40 strikeouts and was second to VanRanst in innings pitched with 59.1 … The Cardinals boasted six pitchers — Krysiak, Sam Nord (West. St. Paul, Minn.), Sean Minder (Maplewood, Minn.), Will DeBruin (Neenah, Wis.), Pat Regan (Mound, Minn.) and Jake Merkle (Mahtomedi, Minn.) — who notched their first collegiate pitching wins last season. … As a team, the Cardinals owned a .963 fielding percentage — led by Curt Swanson (.988), Gannon (.984) and LaNasa (.974). Swanson committed just two errors as the Cardinals' catcher, while Gannon made four errors in 222 chances at first base and LaNasa had only five errors in 190 fielding attempts at second base. … As a team, the Cardinals plated 225 runs in 42 games last season — including a season-high 15 runs in their 15-4 Game 2 win over Gustavus on April 14. … SMU finished 17-2 when leading after the sixth inning, and were 19-2 when out-hitting its opponent. … The Cardinals put an end to several lengthy streaks last season — including a six-game losing streak against St. Thomas, which came to a halt with SMU's 4-2, 10-inning, tournament-opening win over the Tommies. …  The Cardinals enjoyed a streak-snapping four-day run from April 14-18.  SMU picked up its first conference sweep in 41 MIAC doubleheaders with their 7-6, 15-4 victories over Gustavus on April 14, then notched their first back-to-back MIAC sweeps since 2003 with 11-8, 5-3 wins over St. Olaf four days later on April 18. … SMU's sweep of Gustavus on April 14 was its first over GAC since beating the Gusties 9-3 and 6-4 on April 6, 2005. The Cardinals' last sweep of St. Olaf, meanwhile, came on April 21, 2001, when SMU beat the Oles 7-1 and 2-1. … The Cardinals' 1-0, 14-inning victory over UW-Oshkosh on March 25 was their longest game since beating Christian Brothers University 6-5 in 14 innings on March 30, 1999. … SMU's 4-2, 10-inning win over St. Thomas in the MIAC Tournament was the Cardinals' fourth extra-inning game — and fourth extra-inning win — last season. Along with St. Thomas and UW-Oshkosh, SMU also dispatched of Augsburg 6-5 in eight innings on April 29, while adding a 14-13, 10-inning victory over Lewis & Clark 14-13 on March 10. … With their 9-2, 5-2 victories over NCAA Division II Northern State on March 4, the Cardinals opened the season with a sweep for the first time since taking two from Valley City State to kick off the 2005 season.

Scouting The Wartburg Knights:
2013 Roster | 2012 Final Statistics | 2013 Schedule
The Knights, who did not have a senior on their roster a year ago, are coming off a 23-20 season in 2012. … Wartburg has won 12 of the last 16 Iowa Conference championships and 18 all-time. … The Knights enter 2013 boasting 16 straight seasons of 25 or more wins. … Wartburg boasted four first-team all-conference performers a year ago — Scott Benson, Ryan Doty, Andrew Krehbiel and Blake Wilson. … Wilson was also named to D3baseball.com All-Central Region Second Team and Rookie of the Year. … Benson was a Second-Team ABCA All-Central Region selection. … Wartburg had seven players hit above .300 last season, led by Tony Stenberg (.392), Wilson (.367) and Andrew Krehbiel (.352). … Wilson and Krehbiel shared the team lead in hits (58) and doubles (11), while Krehbiel also had a team-best 31 runs. … Wartburg belted seven home runs a year ago, led by Wilson with two. … Ryan Powers owned a team-best 30 RBIs, one more than Wilson. … Scott Benson threw a team-leading 94.2 innings, compiling a 7-4 record and a 2.28 ERA. … Ryan Doty (5-5, 2.86 ERA) compiled a team-leading 104 strikeouts. … As a team, Wartburg owned a 4.04 ERA and 322 strikeouts.

Scouting The Concordia-Chicago Cougars:
2013 Roster | 2012 Final Statistics | 2013 Schedule
Concordia-Chicago is coming off a 33-14 record a year ago — the Cougars' fifth straight season of 30-plus wins. … The Cougars made their second NCAA regional appearance in four years in 2012, falling to UW-Whitewater (2-1) and St. Norbert (5-0). … The Cougars will be without graduated senior Anthony Even, an ABCA First-Team All-American. The Northern Athletics Conference Player of the Year, started all 47 games and led the team and conference with a .432 batting average. His 86 hits also put him among the NCAA Division III's elite hitters. … Dan Eichholzer, an ABCA Second-Team All-Region selection last year, enjoyed the finest of his three seasons to date with a .387 batting average in 47 games a year ago. Among the rightfielder's 67 hits were seven doubles and one homer, and his seven triples tied Jim Paduch's 2003 single-season record. Eichholzer was also among the region's top defensive outfielders with a .982 fielding percentage (two errors in 109 chances). … Shawn Miller batted an even .400 in 47 games, an increase of over 70 points from his previous two seasons. Miller's 74 hits put him among the top Division III hitters for much of the season. He struck out just three times in 185 at-bats, making him the third-toughest hitter in Division III to strike out. … As a team, the Cougars hit .351 with 132 extra-base hits — including 13 home runs. … Nick Skala accounted for eight of the team's 13 home runs. … Ryan Thorsen and Bobby Beelen each threw more than 60 innings a year ago, with Thorsen throwing 68.0 innings and Beelen adding 61.1. … Beelen also owned a team-best seven wins, one more than Thorsen, Brenden Schulz and Dan Kluss. … As a staff, the Cougars compiled a 3.43 ERA with 216 strikeouts.

Scouting The Presentation Saints:
2013 Roster | 2012 Final Statistics | 2013 Schedule
The Saints are coming off a 13-24 season a year ago, and kicked off their 2013 campaign with a nonconference split against Bethel on Feb. 21 in the Metrodome. Presentation won the opener 1-0, then fell 7-5 in the nightcap. … Heath Giedt was the Saints' offensive leader in 2012, hitting .358, while also boasting team-highs in at-bats (123), hits (44), home runs (3), total bases (64) and slugging percentage (.520). … Presentation boasted five players who started all 33 games a year ago. … As a team, the Saints hit .274, but managed just 62 extra-base hits — 50 of which were doubles. … The Saints used seven pitchers last season, and will be led by Tyson Paulson on the mound this year. Paulson pitched the second-most innings in 2012. He had six complete games and won four games. Paulson also hit .331, led the team in doubles with 14 and was tied for the team lead with 32 RBIs.

Scouting The Iowa Wesleyan Tigers:
2013 Roster | 2012 Final Statistics | 2013 Schedule
The Tigers are coming off a 24-31 season in 2012 that included a 14-10 mark and a fourth-place finish in the Midwest Collegiate Conference. … IWC reached the championship game of the double-elimination MCC Tournament in a year ago, falling to Grand View. … The Tigers will be without graduated senior Elliot Armstrong, who hit a team-best .400 in 2012, while also missing will be Michael Mendoza — the MCC Player of the Year — who hit .335, and led the team in at-bats (182), runs (47), hits (61), doubles (21), home runs (8), RBIs (45), total bases (108) and slugging percentage (.593).  … Mendoza was named an NAIA Second Team Baseball All-American. He was the fifth NAIA baseball All-American in IWC history and the first Tiger baseball player ever to receive All-America recognition as high as the second team. … IWC boasted seven players who hit .300 or better. … As a team, the Tigers belted 27 home runs a year ago, with Mendoza (8) and Drew Koeppel (7) accounting for 15 of them. … Vincent Cambruzzi returns after compiling a 1-2 record and a 4.78 ERA in eight appearances last season. … Keith Bullock made 12 appearances on the mound for the Tigers last season, also finishing with a 1-2 record, while adding two saves and a 5.02 ERA. … The Tigers averaged 5.4 runs per game in 2012, including a season-high 15 runs in a 15-3 win against St. Ambrose. … The Tigers turned 48 double-plays last season.

Scouting The Simpson Storm:
2013 Roster | 2012 Final Statistics | 2013 Schedule
The Storm, coming off an 18-24 season a year ago, have already gotten three games under their belt this season — going 2-1 in Clarksville, Ark., Feb. 23-24. Simpson split with Sul Rose State winning 11-8 and losing 13-5, while closing out the trip with a 4-3 win over Ozarks (Ark.). … The Storm return six starters from last year's team, led by Michael Chia, Jake Barr and Tyler Crandell. Chia was a First-Team All-IIAC team a year ago, while Barr and Crandell were second-team selections. … Crandell hit .a team-leading 327 a year ago and was one of two returners to start all 42 games in 2012. … Crandell also led the team in runs (32), hits (50), total bases (69) and slugging percentage (.451). … Tyler Craig, who also started every game last year, returns after boasting a 285 batting average with a team-high 11 doubles, one triple and four home runs. … Craig also drove in team-leading 30 runs last season, two more than Barr and three better than Chia. … Craig and Barr each hit four home runs last season, accounting for eight of the team's 11 round-trippers in 2012. … Chris Dorff and Kyle Ruehle are the Storm's top returning pitchers from 2012. Dorff went 3-3 with a 3.17 ERA in 20 appearances, while Aaron Young was the team's workhorse, logging a team-best 92.0 innings en route to his 3.52 ERA and 4-7 record. … Ruehle also struck out 54.

Scouting The Illinois Institute of Technology Scarlet Hawks:
2013 Roster | 2012 Final Statistics | 2013 Schedule
The Scarlet Hawks are coming off a 5-32 season a year ago, including dropping their last 14 straight. … Illinois Tech did not win a home game last year, going 0-11 on its home turf. … Jonathan Celestino was the team's offensive leader a year ago, hitting .341, while also leading the team in at-bats (135), hits (46), doubles (11), total bases (63) and slugging percentage (.467). … Jordan Obata, the only other Scarlet Hawk to hit above .300 — boasting a .311 batting average — scored a team-best 24 runs, while also stealing 12 bases on 13 attempts. … Ryan Fitapatrick also stole 12 bases for the Scarlet Hawks. … Luis Montoya threw a team-leading 73 innings in 2012, going 2-6 with a 6.16 ERA in 14 starts. Montoya also led the team with six complete games and 46 strikeouts.

Scouting The Marian Sabres:
2013 Roster | 2012 Final Statistics | 2013 Schedule
The Sabres are coming of a 16-22 season a year ago, including an 8-14 showing in Northern Athletic Conference play. … After going 14-10 through their first 25 games a year ago the Sabres dropped 12 of their final 14 games. … Marian boasted six players hitting .300 or better a year ago, led by Jace Unrein. Unrein hit .342 in 35 games, while Garrett Dorn (.329) owned team-highs in at-bats (143), hits (47) and total bases (51). … Matt Bromley was the team's leader in doubles (7) and Will Martin compiled a team-best 19 RBIs, one more than Unrein and Josh Gruenke. … Casey Schreiner hit two of Marian's three home runs a year ago. Ryan Blise launched the other. … Gruenke and Kent Lentz shared the team lead in stolen bases with 13 each. The two combined for 26 of the team's 60 stolen bases. … Marian's pitching staff compiled a 4.36 ERA and had eight pitchers who logged 20 or more innings. … Sam Forkert tossed a season-high 54.1 innings, while posting a 3.81 ERA, a 2-5 record and 51 strikeouts. … Brandon Winfield made a team-leading 18 appearances — all in relief — recording a 1.34 ERA and a 2-0 record with four saves. … Marian had seven pitchers with 10 or more strikeouts in 2012. … Ten of Marian's 16 wins came at home.