The St. Thomas baseball team remains atop the MIAC standings after splitting a doubleheader with Bethel, 5-2 and 3-2, Tuesday at Koch Diamond.
Shortstop Zach Gottfredsen hit the game-winning single into right field for the Tommies (23-12 overall, 15-3 MIAC) in game two after giving up the first game to the Royals (29-7 overall, 14-4 MIAC) 3-2 in eight innings.
Coach Chris Olean said Gottfredsen did exactly what he was supposed to do.
“He did a nice (job) just going with the pitch,” Olean said. “With the infield in, there’s a lot of great places to put the ball into play where you’ll have some great success.”
Charlie Callahan started the seventh inning for the Tommies with a hard-hit single up the middle. Pinch hitter Hunter Hart followed with a single to advance the runner to third before outfielder Jake Smith contributed an RBI flyball single to left center field tying the game 2-2.
In intense situation, Smith said taking a breath helps him overcome the pressure.
“Great moment. I can’t ask to be in a better moment. I wanted to be that guy. I wanted to be in the box … and to have that chance was great,” said Smith.
Smith went 6-8 at the plate and tallied two RBIs.
Olean said Smith stays in the moment, and whether he succeeds or not he’s going to have a good time at bat.
“Well if you want to use the word clutch that is certainly him. He’s not afraid to be in a big spot. He wants that pressure on him,” Olean said. “That the only way that you can thrive in those situations.”
Left-handed pitcher Henry Decaster earned his eighth win of the season and continued his undefeated record.
Olean said there is room for improvement, but he’s happy some players stepped up to get the job done and hopes the team to build on the win.
Both the Tommies and the Royals brought out their aces and recorded four scoreless innings before St. Thomas jumped to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth. The Tommies threatened again in the sixth but ended the inning with three runners stranded. Bethel responded in the top of the seventh to tie the game at three a piece, sending the game into extra innings.
Bethel took its first lead of the game in the eighth inning on a Brandon Meyer RBI double to right field. The Royals extended their lead to two on a single by designated hitter Tony Favilla, leading to a deficit St. Thomas could not recover from.
“We certainly would have like to get a sweep today. We had that first game well in hand, but we coughed it up,” Olean said. “But at the end of the day we are no worse off than where we started. We are still a game up with two to play and we control our own destiny.”
To conclude the eighth inning, Bethel pitcher Jake Marsh retired the side and earned the save to secure a victory over St. Thomas.
Smith said Bethel brought a playoff atmosphere and elevated the Tommies’ play in game two.
“The first game was a tough one. Big game to play in and to come that close and get nothing stings a little bit,” Smith said. “We learned a lot in the first game.”
St. Thomas plays Gustavus in St. Peter Saturday in its final MIAC game of the regular season, while Bethel plays St. Mary’s on Sunday. Bethel is behind St. Thomas by one game heading into the weekend.
Smith said, since the Gusties swept the Tommies last season, they have a clear job to do this year if the team hopes to maintain the top spot in the MIAC.
“We got to go take care of business,” Smith said.
Carolyn Meyer can be reached at cameyer@stthomas.edu.