WINONA, Minn. — After a series of weather delays and schedule adjustments, the Saint Mary's baseball team (14-7) finally opened its home slate on Tuesday, splitting a nonconference doubleheader with UW-Eau Claire (10-6).

GAME ONE

UWEC 5, SMU 3

The Cardinals jumped out to an early lead but were unable to hold off a late push from the Blugolds in the opener.

Saint Mary's struck first in the bottom of the first, as Alex Hanneman reached on a leadoff single, swiped second, and came around to score on an RBI base hit from Sam Knickerbocker. Drew Rothenberger followed with a two-run home run to give the Cardinals an early 3-0 advantage.

Rothenberger finished one-for-three with a home run, two RBIs, and a run scored, while Hanneman added a hit, a walk, and two stolen bases. Knickerbocker chipped in with a hit, an RBI, and a run scored.

Making his first collegiate appearance on the mound, Gavin Halverson delivered a solid outing, pitching five innings and allowing three earned runs on four hits while striking out five. He threw 57 pitches, 30 for strikes, and posted a 1.00 WHIP. Connor Olson added two innings in relief, allowing two runs on two hits.

After the Cardinals built their early lead, the Blugolds chipped away before breaking through in the seventh inning. A leadoff double set the tone, and UW-Eau Claire capitalized on a pair of fielder's choices and defensive miscues to plate the go-ahead runs.

Saint Mary's had opportunities late, stranding runners in scoring position in both the fifth and seventh innings, but could not find the timely hit as UW-Eau Claire held on for the 5-3 win.

GAME TWO

SMU 7, UWEC 6

The Cardinals responded in dramatic fashion in game two, using a four-run eighth inning to rally past the Blugolds and salvage the split.

Trailing late, Saint Mary's erupted in the eighth inning to take control. Ryan Csida sparked the rally with a walk and promptly stole both second and third. Dom Najacht brought him home with a sacrifice fly to cut into the deficit before Rothenberger delivered the decisive blow, a three-run home run that gave the Cardinals a 7-6 lead.

Rothenberger powered the offense, finishing with a home run and three RBIs. Csida added a home run of his own, scoring twice, driving in two runs, and swiping two bases. Daniel Sherman led the hit parade with three hits, including a double and an RBI, while Reese Berg contributed two hits and a run scored.

Saint Mary's had earlier stayed within striking distance thanks to a three-run fourth inning, highlighted by Csida's two-run homer and an RBI single from Sherman.

On the mound, Tyson Allen-Woodcock got the start, allowing one run over two innings. Patrick Schork (1 IP), Colin Blake (0.2 IP), and Eric Charest (3.1 IP) combined in relief to keep the Cardinals within reach. Maddox Cejka added an inning before Mason Windschitl shut the door in the ninth, retiring all three batters he faced and striking out one to earn the save.

Saint Mary's returns to action on Saturday, Apr. 4, when the Cardinals host Hamline in a conference doubleheader. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.