COLD SPRING, Minn.- Left-handed pitcher Drew Molin pitched a complete-game shutout as the No. 2-ranked St. Thomas baseball team defeated No. 3-ranked Saint John’s 1-0 Thursday night at Cold Spring Ballpark.
Coach Chris Olean said the Tommies had multiple pitchers eligible to start, but the coaches were impressed with the the way Molin had been pitching and thought he’d be the best fit for the lineup.
“The story of the game was Drew,” Olean said. “He flatout won the game for us which is a huge deal.”
Molin allowed two hits and struck out 10 in the playoff opener.
Johnnie center fielder Max Jackson went 2-4 and recorded the Johnnies’ only two hits of the game.
Molin said he felt comfortable on the mound and had good command of his pitches.
“Overall, I felt really good throwing into the night,” Molin said. “It’s a big win, especially in this double-elimination to get on the winners side is a big thing especially with our ace throwing tomorrow.”
The Tommies’ lone run came in the 6th inning on a wild pitch by Jake Dickmeyer. Outfielder Jake Smith doubled down the rightfield line to start the inning off for the Tommies and advanced to third on a sac fly by second baseman Zach Gottfredsen. With two outs and a runner on third, Dickmeyer threw a pitch into the dirt and the ball skipped past Johnnie catcher Dominick Schleper. Smith jogged across home plate uncontested to put the Tommies on the board.
“The first time we played these guys we won on a balk … getting that one was pretty lucky,” Molin said. “Their pitcher had really good command, so to get this one too because of a little past ball was really key for us.”
Olean said winning the first game takes a little bit of the pressure off, but “this tournament is always difficult. You can never cruise through it.”
After the team went 5-28 at the plate, Olean hopes the Tommies can turn their offense around during Friday’s matchup.
Timely hitting and an impressive pitching performance helped No. 4-ranked Macalester upset top-seed Bethel 5-3 at Becker Park. The Royals fall to the loser’s bracket and play Saint John’s Friday at Cold Spring Ballpark.
Tommies’ ace Henry Decaster is on the mound tomorrow as St. Thomas faces Macalester in the second round of the MIAC Baseball Playoffs at Becker Park. First pitch is at 3 p.m.
Carolyn Meyer can be reached at cameyer@stthomas.edu.