AUBURNDALE, Fla. — The busy week continues for the Saint Mary's baseball team (4-3) in Florida. The team had two different stories the past two days of games. They dominated in a 14-3 win over Wartburg (3-3) on Monday before falling 8-1 to Rose-Hulman (5-0). 

Now they will get a day break to enjoy the trip.

GAME ONE

SMU 14, WC 3

The Cardinals secured a commanding 14-3 victory over the Knights after jumping out to an early advantage with six runs in the first inning, capitalizing on Wartburg's four errors and 15 walks throughout the game. 

The foundation for the Cardinals' win was laid in the first inning, where they capitalized on Wartburg's two errors to score six runs. Joe Anderson and Reese Berg both reached base, setting the stage for a trio of unearned runs driven in by Ryan Csida's single and Josh Costello's three-RBI double. 

The Cardinals maintained pressure throughout, adding runs in the subsequent innings with strategic base-running and capitalizing on Wartburg's miscues.

They secured the victory with a decisive three-run eighth inning that extended its lead to 11 runs. Dom Najacht reached first on an error, allowing Gavin Schulte and Costello to score. Najacht later advanced and scored on a passed ball, capping off the inning with three runs on a single hit, thanks to Wartburg's defensive lapse.

Sam Knickerbocker delivered two hits and scored twice, contributing one RBI to the game. Costello recorded four RBIs, highlighted by a double. Eric Stomberg pitched six innings, allowing one earned run and striking out four batters to earn the win.

Wartburg managed to score in the sixth and seventh innings, highlighted by a two-run homer, but was unable to overcome the early deficit. The Cardinals effectively shut down any further threat to secure the win.

GAME TWO

SMU 1, RHIT 8

On Tuesday, the Cardinals fell to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (5-0) with a final score of 8-1 at the Chain O' Lakes facility. The Cardinals tallied six hits, including three doubles, but could only manage a single run in the third inning.

Nikolai Niemela contributed with one hit and an RBI, while also drawing a walk. Sam Knickerbocker added a double in his sole hit of the game. Daniel Sherman recorded a run and a hit, which was a double. Josh Costello made a strong defensive effort with four assists from his shortstop position.

Rose-Hulman's decisive inning came early as it scored three runs in the first and the Cardinals found themselves in a tough position, trailing from the start.

The Cardinals tried to mount a comeback in the third inning. Sherman doubled to right center, and Costello's single advanced Sherman to third. Niemela's RBI single brought Sherman home, marking the team's only run. 

However, costly outs and a pickoff limited further damage, leaving runners stranded.

Despite a few opportunities, including a leadoff double by Gavin Schulte in the first and another by Knickerbocker, the Cardinals struggled to capitalize, with Rose-Hulman maintaining control throughout. 

The Cardinals had intermittent chances but could not break through Rose-Hulman's pitching and defense, which kept the Cardinals' bats quiet for the remainder of the game.

They will regroup and look ahead to Thursday's game against Concordia Chicago at 10:00 a.m. (ET).