Late Rally Pushes Saints Past New Mexico

After a pair of deflating losses for the Seward County Saints Sunday against Midland, the guys in green got just what they needed against New Mexico in their matchup on Monday. Despite getting off to a slow start, the Saints erased a 6-3 Thunderbird lead in the 6^th inning with 11 runs in the final four innings to storm back and win 14-6. 

In their final game of a tough five game road trip, the Saints got on the board first against New Mexico, getting a two out single off the bat of Connor Smith in the 1^st inning to score Bryson Allen who singled earlier in the inning to give Seward a 1-0 lead. 

New Mexico answered the Saints run with a run of their own in the 2^nd inning, using a two out bunt single to jumpstart a rally and tie the game at 1. 

Seward didn't waste any time in getting the run back as Brent Williams doubled with two outs in the top of the 3^rd and Kevin Connolly drove him home with a single to put the Saints back on top 2-1. 

The back and forth battle continued as New Mexico used the Saints against themselves in the bottom of the inning, getting a walk, a hit batter, and a Seward error to score two runs to take the lead 3-2. 

The Saints played small ball with a pair of singles and a pair of sacrafices to notch a single run in the 4^th to tie the game at 3 and finally Seward pitching threw up a zero in the bottom half of the frame to keep the game tied at 3. 

In the 5^th though, New Mexico was able to get on the board once again, getting a leadoff single and a two run home run to go back in front 5-3.  Later in the inning another Seward walk would come back to haunt them as the T-Birds got a two out single after the walk to push a run home to make it 6-3. 

A one out double from Alex White got the Saints to within a pair in the 6^th and Seward exploded with a monster inning in the 7^th to take the lead once and for all.  Allen singled to start the inning and back to back doubles from Williams and Connolly scored two to tie the game at 6.  With two outs in the inning Reed Thompson singled to break the tie and White's second RBI knock in as many innings made it 8-6 Seward.  After walking the bases loaded, New Mexico handed the Saints a gift with a bases loaded walk to push another run across and as the dust settled in the inning the Saints led the game 9-6. 

Saints reliever Chris Juracek somehow worked his way out of a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the 7^th to keep the Saints in front and the Seward offense added to the lead as the 8^th inning got started.  A one out error and a sac fly scored two runs for the Saints to make it 11-6 and with two outs in the inning freshman Brandon Uriquizo belted a three run home run, the first of his college career to blow the game open to 14-6. 

Juracek kept New Mexico off the board in the bottom of the 8^th and sidewinder Thomas Garland pitched a scoreless 9^th to close it out for the Saints as Seward hung on to win 14-6. 

Seward pounded out a season high 19 hits in the win.  Connolly had a big game in the middle of the Seward order, going 4 for 6 with 2 RBI's and 2 runs scored.  Williams was 3 for 6 for the Saints and White finished 2 for 3 with 4 RBI's.  Juracek earned his second win of the season in relief for the Saints, going 2 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing just 2 hits while striking out 2. 

SEWARD COUNTY/NEW MEXICO BOX SCORE

The Saints improve with the win to 9-7 on the year while New Mexico continues an unusually slow start at 3-8.  Now the Saints will turn their attention to Jayhawk West Conference play which opens this weekend in stadiums across the Sunflower State.  The Saints open their conference slate against Barton on Friday & Saturday at Brent Gould Field with first pitch scheduled for 2:00 Friday and 1:00 on Saturday.