COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris baseball team put three runs on the board in the top of the first inning at Saint John's University on Tuesday night, but the Johnnies were quick to respond, piling up 16 runs in the first four innings of a 16-3 non-conference win.

The game started about as well as possible for Minnesota Morris. With one out in the first, Logan Graves and Evan Benson connected on back-to-back singles to put two on for Joe Pelle. Pelle then legged out an inside-the-park home run to make it 3-0.

After those three hits in the top of the first, the Cougars would collect only one more the rest of the way. Saint John's loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the first and would eventually plate six runs to take the lead for good. The Johnnies tacked on five more in the second inning, three in the third, and two in the fourth to take a 16-3 edge. 

That was the end of the offensive explosion for Saint John's, but Minnesota Morris was unable to cut into the lead the rest of the way. A Pelle single in the sixth was the only other hit of the night and the Cougars hit into double plays in both the sixth and seventh innings.

Cole Mammenga took the loss for the Cougars, falling to 0-4. Josh Doss pitched the final two innings in relief, giving up just a single hit.

Minnesota Morris is back home at Chizek Field tomorrow for a 4 p.m. first pitch against Valley City State University.