Strong pitching by the solid right-handed duo of sophomore Steve Maher and junior Dylan Thomas sealed the St. Thomas baseball team’s 3-2, 3-1 sweep of Macalester in a doubleheader Wednesday at home.

Both pitchers recorded complete-game decisions, and the victories extended the No. 3-ranked Tommies’ winning streak to 15 games.

Game One

The Tommies jumped out to an early lead in the first inning against the Scots.

Senior third baseman Nick Reichert got the first RBI of the game, batting sophomore outfielder Tim Kuzniar home. Later in the inning, sophomore catcher J.D. Dorgan’s single to center field brought senior third baseman Charles Bruchu home, making the score 2-0.

In the second inning, Kuzniar hit a sacrifice fly to left field that scored junior shortstop Jon Kinsel and widened the Tommies’ lead to 3-0.

Maher was unstoppable from the mound for the majority of the game. He retired the first 18 batters with six strikeouts, 10 grounders and two fly balls.

The Tommies held the Scots scoreless until the seventh inning. Macalester rallied back after sophomore outfielder Ross Bronfenbrenner’s triple scored freshman outfielder Nick Mar.

Bronfenbrenner then scored on senior Mitch Glasser’s grounder, cutting St. Thomas’ lead to 3-2.

Maher ended Macalester’s comeback in the final inning with a double-play that left the tying run stranded on third base. The win gave Maher a perfect 9-0 record.

Freshman outfielder Ben Podobinski said he recognized that St. Thomas’ solid defense and pitching saved the game for his team.

“Our pitching and defense was really good,” he said. “It’s been good all year.”

Game Two

Once again, St. Thomas jumped out to a quick lead and tallied all of its runs in the second inning. The bases were loaded when Podobinski hit a three-run double to left field, giving the team a 3-0 lead.

However, coach Chris Olean said he would like to see more offense in the future.

“It’s going to make our games easier, but we just have to be patient with it,” Olean said.

Macalester had opportunities to score in both the fourth and seventh innings but left two runners stranded on base.

Thomas, who was named MIAC Pitcher of the Week Monday, lost his shutout with two outs in the seventh. Senior outfielder Graham Brown’s single allowed Mar to score for the Scots, but Thomas got a game-ending groundout.

Thomas struck out five batters, and the win improves his record to 4-2.

Although the offense was lacking, players were happy with the outcome.

“As long as we find a way to win, it’s good,” Podobinski said.

The Tommies are now 24-4 overall and hold the top spot in the MIAC with a 12-0 record.

Baihly Warfield can be reached at warf3860@stthomas.edu.