Box Score | Photos (Michael Hemmelgarn)
CHANDLER, Ariz. – Saint John’s broke open a 1-1 tie after the fifth with 14 runs in the final four innings to record a 15-4 win over the College of New Jersey on Saturday, March 6.
Juniors Matt Butorac (Maple Grove, Minn.), Brett Kramer (Baxter, Minn./Brainerd) and Eric Smith (Rogers, Minn.) tallied three hits apiece to lead the Johnnies (6-2, 0-0 MIAC). Butorac ended the day a home run short of the cycle with four runs scored, while Kramer knocked in three runs.
Seniors Joe Eiden (Maple Grove, Minn./Totino-Grace) and Andrew Gurbada (Royalton, Minn.), as well as sophomore Bert Marsnik (Annandale, Minn.) added two hits and two RBI each.
Sophomore Hayden Zimmerman (New Richmond, Wis.) allowed four runs, three earned, in 6.1 innings. He walked two and struck out five to improve to 2-0 on the young season. Juniors Dan Beste (Freeport, Minn./Melrose Area) and Kyle Green (Shakopee, Minn.) combined for 2.2 scoreless innings of relief.
SJU entered the contest batting .256 (11-43) against lefties thru the first seven games, but hit .545 (12-22) with six lefties in the lineup against southpaws Saturday afternoon.
The Johnnies end their spring break trip with a doubleheader on Sunday, March 7, against Wartburg (Iowa).