WEST LIBERTY, Iowa — After a home rescheduling, the Saint Mary's baseball team improved to 8-6 on the season with an 8-2 win over UW-Superior (9-4) in a neutral-site matchup Friday evening. Reese Berg delivered a pivotal moment for the Cardinals, driving in two runs during a third-inning surge.

Alex Hanneman powered the offense with a four-hit performance, including a pair of doubles, while finishing with two RBIs and three runs scored. Sam Knickerbocker added three hits and drove in two, providing steady production throughout the lineup.

On the mound, Andrew Milner turned in a strong outing, going seven innings while allowing just one earned run on six hits and striking out four.

The Cardinals set the tone early with opportunistic hitting and aggressive baserunning. In the third, Hanneman doubled home Costello, who reached on an error and stole third, before Berg followed with an RBI groundout. The lead grew again in the fifth when Knickerbocker delivered a two-run single, aided by a defensive miscue.

They created separation in the eighth inning, plating three runs to put the game out of reach. Ryan Csida was hit by a pitch and quickly moved into scoring position with steals of second and third. Drew Rothenberger then delivered a pinch-hit double down the left field line to bring him home. After advancing on a wild pitch, Rothenberger scored on Gavin Schulte's sacrifice fly, and Hanneman followed with an RBI single to drive in Costello, who had reached via walk.

Solid defense backed the effort, as the Cardinals turned two double plays and consistently limited the Yellowjackets opportunities. Combined with disciplined pitching and pressure on the basepaths, Saint Mary's controlled the game from start to finish.

They return to Iowa to face the Yellowjackets for a doubleheader tomorrow starting at 1:00 p.m.