Both starters, junior Kolby Gartner (game one) and sophomore Walker Retz (game two), went at least six innings for the St. Thomas baseball team but were knocked around as the Tommies dropped both games of the home-opening doubleheader 13-3 and 10-4 against North Dakota State Friday at Koch Diamond.
The Bison (10-23 overall, 6-2 Summit League) jumped out to early leads in both games leaving the Tommies (4-20, 2-6) little room for error in a potential comeback. The Tommies were outscored 23-7 on the day.
“Overall we had to give up less runs, we had to pitch better,” Coach Chris Olean said. “They just really hit. They hit all day.”
Game one
Gartner gave up a season-high 10 runs, nine earned, over six innings. He settled after the Bison ambushed him for nine runs through two innings.
Two errors in the first inning spelled trouble for the Tommies, who gave up four runs, two unearned, on two hits in the inning.
A walk and a bunt single put runners on for a three-run homer by senior Druw Sackett that put the Bison up 7-0 in the second.
The Tommies chipped away with runs in the second and third courtesy of sophomore centerfielder Ben Vujovich triple and a fielder’s choice grounder. Gartner also settled, limiting damage to two runs over the next four innings.
Senior catcher Charlie Bartholomew went 3 for 3 on the day.
Two more Tommies pitched after Gartner, combining for two innings and allowing three runs. The game ended via mercy rule with the Bison up 13-3 after the eighth inning.
Game two
Retz was greeted by the Bison with the same hospitality, giving up nine runs over the first two innings. Like Gartner, he settled in and pitched four scoreless innings following the initial stampede.
The Bison, who were second in team home runs in the 2022 season, clobbered two off Retz. St. Thomas did itself no favors, committing three errors in the second.
“Some of our relievers did a nice job… I think our bats got better at the end of the game too,” Olean said. “They’re gonna show up and we just gotta keep it closer.”
Junior catcher Max Moris singled home two runs in the bottom of the first, scoring sophomore outfielder Brigs Richartz from second and first-year designated hitter Dylan O’Connell from third.
“They’re a good team, so it’s going to be tough,” Bartholomew said. “We’re going to play our best to beat them, but there were some signs of life at the plate today.”
First-year reliever Nolan Kemp took over for Retz in the seventh, pitching an inning and two-thirds of scoreless ball, striking out three. Sophomore Jacob Mrosko finished the game for the Tommies with a scoreless inning of his own.
The Tommies dropped the second game 10-4.
The finale of the weekend series is set for 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 15 at Koch Diamond.
Sam Larson can be reached at lars4378@stthomas.edu.
Annabelle Wiskus can be reached at wisk9881@stthomas.edu.
Hard seeing results like these when we were so used to success at the D-3 Level.
Hang in there , Team. I support you no matter the outcome.
Bob Kolnik Class ’70