WINONA, Minn. — Fueled by an energized Alumni Day crowd and a little extra luck from their baby blue uniforms, the Saint Mary's baseball team (18-9, 6-2 MIAC) delivered a dramatic conference sweep over Augsburg (3-11, 2-8 MIAC) Saturday afternoon at home.

GAME ONE
SMU 4, AUG 1

The Cardinals wasted no time setting the tone, erupting for three runs in the opening inning and riding strong pitching and aggressive baserunning to the win.

Gavin Schulte sparked the offense with a leadoff single, while Alex Hanneman followed with a walk. After a well-executed sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position, Reese Berg came through with a clutch two-RBI double to give Saint Mary's an early advantage. Dom Najacht added to the surge with an RBI single, plating Berg and extending the lead to 3-0.

On the mound, Eric Stomberg set the standard, tossing three scoreless innings while allowing just three hits and striking out two. Maddox Cejka provided steady relief, surrendering just one run over two innings, before Connor Olson slammed the door with one shutout inning, striking out three.

The Cardinals continued to apply pressure on the basepaths, swiping five total bases. Najacht and Josh Costello each recorded two steals, with Costello also adding an RBI.

Augsburg threatened in the sixth, loading the bases and pushing across a run on a sacrifice fly. But Saint Mary's answered right back, as Najacht reached on an error, stole second, and came around to score on Costello's RBI single to restore a comfortable cushion. 

Clean defense and timely pitching changes helped the Cardinals close out the opener.

GAME TWO
SMU 7, AUG 6

Game two delivered fireworks, as Saint Mary's staged a thrilling three-run rally in the ninth inning to walk off with a 7-6 victory and complete the sweep.

Trailing late after Augsburg's five-run eighth inning flipped the script, the Cardinals refused to back down. In the ninth, Schulte once again ignited the rally with a leadoff single and advanced on a wild pitch. Jack Anderson followed with an RBI single to bring Saint Mary's within one.

Moments later, Joe Anderson reached, setting the stage for Stephen Golden, who delivered the decisive blow, a two-RBI single to center that brought home both Andersons and sealed the comeback win in dramatic fashion.

Saint Mary's tallied 12 hits in the nightcap, with Joe Anderson leading the way with two hits, including a double, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Golden added two hits and two RBIs, while Alex Hanneman reached base three times via walks and crossed the plate twice.

Kasey Carlson turned in a strong start on the mound, going six innings while allowing just one earned run on three hits and striking out two.

Despite Augsburg's late surge, the Cardinals showcased resilience and composure, capitalizing on key opportunities when it mattered most to secure the sweep.

Saint Mary's returns to action Wednesday, April 15, traveling to Macalester for a conference doubleheader scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m.