WINONA, Minn. - It couldn't have been a more perfect day for baseball. The Saint Mary's baseball team (11-8) had an outstanding performance at Max Molock Field, claiming their first conference victory in style by sweeping the Concordia Cobbers (8-8)!
 
The Cardinals won game one 5-0 and secured a 10-4 victory in game two against the Cobbers.
 
GAME ONE
 
The Cardinals jumped to an early lead in the first inning, scoring three runs on three hits. 
Ryan Csida's single set the stage, followed by 
Will Boeckman and 
Brinton Anderson each delivering RBI doubles. This early rally gave the Cardinals a 3-0 advantage.
 
In the third inning, the Cardinals extended their lead with two additional runs after two quick outs.
 
Sam Knickerbocker hit a single, followed by 
Stephen Golden and 
Noah Lahner, with Lahner's hit driving in a run. 
Daniel Sherman then singled to center field, scoring Golden and extending the lead to 5-0.
 
The Cardinals offense stalled throughout the remainder of game one but the early offense kept them ahead.
 
The pitchers from the Cardinals maintained control throughout the game, preventing the Cobbers from scoring, cementing a 5-0 victory for the Cardinals with a shutout performance from their defense.
 
Addison Hochevar had a standout performance on the mound, completing a shutout and pitching a complete game over seven innings. He allowed six hits, issued two walks, and struck out six batters in his 29 batters faced. 
 
GAME TWO
 
Saint Mary's secured a decisive 10-4 victory over Concordia, highlighted by a commanding nine-run third inning. 
 
They erupted for nine runs on six hits. Boeckman, Anderson, and 
Riley Bauman each singled to load the bases. Knickerbocker's single drove in two runs, while additional walks and a hit batter kept the runs coming. 
 
By the end of it all, they led 10-1.
 
Concordia managed to score in the following innings, with a run in the third and two more in the fourth, narrowing the gap to 10-3. 
 
However, Saint Mary's pitching held firm, conceding only one more run in the fifth inning. 
 
The Cardinals kept their lead for the rest of the game, clinching the conference sweep to kick off their conference play!
 
The Cardinals will return to action on Tuesday, April 1st, traveling to St. Olaf for a doubleheader starting at 2:30 p.m.