WHITEWATER, Wis. — The top-seeded St. Thomas baseball team went into Thursday’s must-win game against Benedictine (Ill.) knowing it needed to accomplish two things: have timely hitting and a strong pitching performance. Check and check.
Sophomore pitcher Colin Wendinger didn’t let the pressure of an elimination game phase him, throwing six scoreless innings en route to a 10-1 victory in an NCAA midwest regional play.
The right-hander struck out six batters, scattering three hits and one walk.
“He was in command the entire game and had good control of his two-seam fastball,” coach Chris Olean said. “For him to get through six innings on about 65 pitches, that’s really good for us just in terms of being able to bring him back potentially.”
St. Thomas’ bats came alive in the second inning with back-to-back doubles from left fielder Tim Kuzniar and third baseman Jack Hogan. Second baseman Sam Miller followed with an RBI groundout to score the team’s first run of the tournament.
“With runners in scoring position, I’m just trying to sit back on my back foot and put the ball up the middle,” Miller said. “The difference between today and yesterday is that we just came out and played like we know we can.”
Yesterday against St. Scholastica, St. Thomas couldn’t muster a clutch hit, stranding nine runners on base.
The Tommies added two more runs in the inning on a bases-loaded walk by first baseman Tyler Peterson and an RBI single by catcher J.D. Dorgan. Dorgan racked up three hits and four RBI, and was a wall behind the plate the entire game.
Defensively, the Tommies were solid throughout, turning three double plays and committing only one error.
“They came out to play today and really got the job done for us,” Wendinger said about his defense. “I feel confident throwing anything with the guys I have behind me.”
With two outs in the sixth, St. Thomas broke the game wide open with a single by shortstop Jon Kinsel that scored center fielder Ben Podobinski on a throwing error. Peterson and Dorgan each ripped in another run to give the Tommies a 6-0 lead after six innings. Peterson went 2-for-5 with three RBI and scored two runs.
Olean said he was pleased with his team’s effort on the diamond Thursday.
“Today was more like what we can do,” Olean said. “We had constant pressure throughout the game, scored a few runs here and a few runs there and looked up and had a pretty good score.”
St. Thomas had 18 hits and five walks, while only striking out five times. Podobinski was on fire, going 4-for-5 with a walk and crossing home plate three times. Other contributors for the Tommie offense included Kinsel: 3-for-4 with two walks; Kuzniar and Hogan each went 2-for-5 at the dish.
“As a team focus point we want to play loose, when we play tight we just don’t play well,” Wendinger said. “If we come out loose and play our game, we’ll be just fine.”
Tommie pitching gave Eagle batters fits all afternoon. Pitcher Tommy Danczyk threw two shutout innings and pitcher Greg Clute threw one inning, allowing one unearned run.
St. Thomas will be back in action at 3 p.m. Friday against Case Western in an elimination game.
“I think whatever we did today we need to step it up another notch, and certainly have to bring a little more tomorrow,” Olean said.
If victorious on Friday, St. Thomas could play Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Wisconsin.-Whitewater or St. Scholastica.
Kyle Jonas can be reached at jona7984@stthomas.edu.