WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Games six and seven are complete in Florida. The Saint Mary's baseball team (6-4) split their final doubleheader of spring break with Illinois College (5-3) bouncing back in game two winning 5-0 after falling 9-4 in game one.

GAME ONE

SMU 4, IC 9

The Cardinals managed eight hits and four RBIs but were unable to overcome the Blueboys 12-hit performance.

Reese Berg recorded a double and scored twice, contributing significantly to the team's offensive efforts. Sam Knickerbocker added two hits, including a double, and drove in one run. Jack Anderson reached base twice with walks and added a hit, scoring one run. 

Illinois College seized the momentum in the seventh inning, capitalizing on a series of miscues by the Cardinals. A balk brought home a run, followed by a two-RBI single and another run scored on a passed ball. 

This surge extended Illinois College's lead to five runs, effectively sealing their victory.

Saint Mary's had opportunities to shift the game's direction earlier. In the opening innings, Gavin Schulte and Berg drew walks that set up run-scoring opportunities. Schulte scored in the first inning on a single by Knickerbocker, while Berg's double in the third inning led to an RBI single from Golden. 

Despite these efforts, the Cardinals left a crucial chance in the fifth inning, with the bases loaded but unable to bring in any runs.

A late rally in the seventh inning saw Berg and Knickerbocker reach scoring positions, and Nikolai Niemela delivered with an RBI single. However, the comeback was halted as the Cardinals stranded runners in scoring position, unable to close the gap.

GAME TWO

SMU 5, IC 0

For the final game of the day, the Cardinals shutout the Blueboys, highlighted by a combined seven-inning shutout from its pitching staff.

The Cardinals scored three runs in the fifth inning and added two more in the seventh, while maintaining a clean defensive game with no errors.

Schulte made an impact with two RBIs and a hit, contributing to the team's offensive efforts. Ryan Csida scored twice and added a triple, showcasing his ability to advance around the bases. Andrew Milner pitched four scoreless innings, recording four strikeouts and earning the win. 

The decisive moment came in the fifth inning when the Cardinals capitalized on the Blueboys defensive miscue, scoring three unearned runs. Csida's leadoff triple set the stage, and after a fielding error allowed Josh Costello to reach base, Schulte delivered an RBI single that brought Costello home. Berg added another RBI single, extending the lead to 3-0.

The Cardinals maintained pressure in the seventh inning, pushing the advantage to 5-0. 

Csida reached on an error and scored on Sherman's double. Schulte then brought Sherman home with a productive groundout. Clean defense and effective pitching preserved the shutout, thwarting any momentum Illinois College attempted to gain throughout the game.

The team looks to close out the trip with a game against Hope tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. (ET).