CAROL STREAM, Ill. - The Saint Mary's baseball team (7-7) kicked off their weekend series in Illinois with a flawless 2-0 record. The Cardinals first delivered a dominant 13-3 victory over the Marian Sabres (5-6) in a 7-inning game, then went on to defeat the host Wheaton College Thunder (4-11) 7-6.
 
MARIAN
 
The game saw the Cardinals compile a season high 18 hits and 13 RBIs across seven innings.
 
In the first inning, the Sabres took an early lead, scoring two runs but the Cardinals responded with a run of their own when Will Boeckman singled, stole second, and eventually scored on a single by Reese Berg, making the score 2-1.
 
During the second inning, the Cardinals tied the game at 2-2.
 
The Cardinals surged ahead in the fourth inning with a strong offensive display when Noah Lahner doubled and was able to score on a single by Boeckman. Brinton Anderson added to the fun with a two-RBI double, bringing the score to 5-3 in favor of the Cardinals.
 
The Cardinals extended their lead significantly in the sixth inning with Boeckman leading off with a home run. The score was pushed to 10-3 as they capitalized on several hits.
 
In the seventh inning, the Cardinals added three more runs to solidify their lead when they had bases loaded and hot hitting, resulting in a final score of 13-3. 
 
Boeckman was on fire all day recording four runs and three RBIs while hitting a home run, his first of the season. Riley Bauman contributed with four hits and drove in one run, maintaining a perfect batting average of 1.000 in his debut. 
 
Tyson Allen was effective on the mound, securing a win with three innings pitched, allowing only one hit and no runs, while striking out five batters. 
 
WHEATON
 
The Cardinals secured the victory over the Thunder with a final score of 7-6 at Lee Pfund Stadium.
 
Eric Charest pitched six innings, recording two strikeouts and allowing four earned runs. 
 
In the opening inning, the Cardinals took an early lead as Anderson hit a two-run homer to center field, driving in Boeckman who had previously doubled. This gave the Cardinals a 2-0 advantage. 
 
In the third inning, the team's offensive prowess was on full display. Boeckman led off with a solo homer to left center, his second of the day, followed by Anderson's triple. Riley Bauman's hit and a sacrifice fly brought Anderson home, then Daniel Sherman added to the run with an RBI double to extend the lead to 5-0.
 
The sixth inning featured additional runs for the Cardinals, capitalizing on Wheaton's errors widening the gap to 7-0. 
 
Wheaton responded with four runs in their half of the inning, closing the deficit to 7-4.
 
Despite Wheaton adding one more run, the Cardinals defense remained strong, and a strikeout by Mason Windschitl to close out the game sealed a tight 7-6 victory.
 
The Cardinals will return to action tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. for their sole game of the day against Calvin.