ST. PAUL, Minn. – Bradie Black hit a home run in the top of the ninth to give the University of Minnesota Morris baseball team a 6–5 victory over Macalester College on Saturday afternoon in St. Paul, Minn.
Macalester jumped out to an early 2–0 lead after a two-run home run in the bottom of the first. In the top of the second,
Ryan McGie became the Cougars' first baserunner after drawing a leadoff walk but was left stranded.
Taeyvn Brown drew a leadoff walk in the third, then stole both second and third, but the Cougars remained scoreless. In the following inning,
Ben Meuser recorded the first UMM hit with a double to right field, and an error allowed him to score.
Bradie Black reached via walk to put two runners on with no outs. Another error tied the game as McGie came around to score.
Landen Meyerdirk gave the Cougars the lead with a leadoff home run in the fifth inning. The Scots responded in the bottom of the sixth, scoring three runs to regain the lead.
In the eighth inning, the Cougars loaded the bases after a hit-by-pitch, a walk, and catcher's interference.
Tyler Moriarty was then hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, bringing in a run. Meuser followed with a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 5–5.
In the top of the ninth, Black hit the go-ahead home run. In the bottom half,
Juna Bess pitched a 1-2-3 inning to secure the 6–5 win for the Cougars.
Minnesota Morris recorded four hits in the win, coming from Meyerdirk, Meuser, Black, and
Caleb Walker. Three of those hits went for extra bases, including home runs by Meyerdirk and Black and a double by Meuser. UMM drew seven walks, with Black and Brown leading the team with two each. Brown accounted for both Cougar stolen bases.
Peyton Neadeau got the start on the mound, pitching five innings with three strikeouts while allowing two earned runs.
Kellan Oligmueller pitched the next inning, giving up three earned runs.
Sebastian Bark followed with a scoreless inning, and Bess closed the game with two scoreless innings, facing the minimum six batters.
The Cougars return home Sunday for a doubleheader against Concordia College Moorhead, beginning at 1 p.m.
