Two dramatic seventh inning rallies allowed St. Thomas to escape St. Peter with a double header sweep over Gustavus on Wednesday afternoon. The Tommies scored one run with two outs in the top of the seventh inning to claim a 3-2 win in game one and then scored four times in the top of the seventh in game two to post an 8-6 win.
In game one, the Tommies took the lead 2-0 early when third baseman Casey Garven hit a two run home run to right field. The Gusties came back in the third, with a double to centerfield by Ash Larsen, which scored Tony Konicek and Ben Sherer.
The game remained tied until the top of the seventh inning when the Tommies took the lead on a triple by Brett Olson to score Jordan Roering, who’s single to left field barely missed the tip of third baseman Trent Larson’s glove, making the score 3-2.
Gustavus threatened to take the lead in an intense bottom of the seventh. With one out, Mike Holman singled to start out the rally. With Wade Vrieze pinch running for Holman, second baseman, Bryant Rogness singled on a bobble by Tommie’s third baseman, Mike Moran. Tony Konicek kept the rally going with a single to left field, advancing Vrieze to third and loading the bases. Ben Sherer hit a sharp grounder to third but the Tommies were able to force Vrieze out at home. Ash Larsen grounded out to second base to end the rally for Gustavus.
In game two, St. Thomas took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a string of errors by Gustavus. Right fielder Josh Howard reached second on an error by the Gustavus right fielder, Tony Konicek. Zach Goldberg reached first on an error by Gustie second baseman, Bryant Rogness, which scored Howard. Ryan Boudewyns reached second on an error by shortstop, Aaron Madson, advancing Goldberg to third. Casey Garven then walked to load the bases, but Gustie hurler, Trent Larson, got Tommy Erik Maursetter to fly out to left center to end the inning.
The Tommies increased their lead to 3-0 in the second inning when Sean Young doubled to left field scoring Nick Bellmont. Mike Kimlinger extended the lead to 4-0 on a single to center, scoring Young.
The Gusties came charging back in the bottom of the second, scoring five times to take a 5-3 lead. A string of singles scored Trent Larson and Aaron Madson. The big blow of the inning was Tony Konicek’s three run blast over the right center field fence.
The Gusties extended their lead to 6-3 when Ben drove in Bryant Rogness with a single to center field in the bottom of the fourth inning. St. Thomas cut the lead to 6-4 when Ryan Boudewyns hit a solo home run to center field in the top of the fifth inning.
The Tommies scored four runs in the top of the seventh inning as Mike Moran contributed a clutch double driving in Mike Kimlinger and Nick Bellmont added a triple driving in three more runs.
St. Thomas pitcher, Mike Ranthum, shut the Gusties down in order in the bottom of the seventh inning to allow the Tommies to claim their second thrilling come from behind win. St. Thomas improves to 22-4 overall and 8-2 in the MIAC, while Gustavus falls to 16-11 overall and 5-7 in the MIAC.