Saints build lead early to earn season sweep of Arlington

An early offensive explosion strong outing from Andy Regner on the mound propelled the St. Peter Saints town team to a 6-3 victory over the Arlington A’s Sunday night. A 6-0 lead that was built throughout the first four innings was enough to hold off the late-charging A’s.

St. Peter got things going immediately in the bottom of the first inning with Josh Robb ripping a leadoff single to right field before Tyson Sowder reached first safely on a fielding error at shortstop on a bobbled ball. After Austin Pinke advanced both runners on a sacrifice bunt, a fielder’s choice sent deep to first scored Robb.

Hunter Wilmes added a second run with an RBI single straight up the middle, putting the Saints ahead 2-0. In the top of the third, Arlington put together a scoring opportunity one out single, but in a bizarre play, St. Peter got the final two outs on a 5-4-3 double play that saw the runner approaching second be called for runner’s interference.

In the bottom of the third, Sowder drew a leadoff walk before Pinke lifted a bloop single into shallow centerfield. After a Cody Booker Sacrifice bunt advanced the runners, Wilmes loaded the bases by drawing a walk. Billy Hanson put a ball in play that allowed the Saints to bring one run across the plate while the defense got one out at first.

Logan Carlson then beat out an infield single for an RBI and the throw to first, in its hurried state, went high and allowed another run to score, putting St. Peter ahead 5-0. The bottom of the fourth saw St. Peter score what would prove to be its final run when Sowder ripped an RBI single straight up the middle, scoring Regner who had led off with a single.

Arlington did mange to score three runs in the final three innings, but couldn’t overcome the initial deficit, allowing the Saints to hold on for the 6-3 win, improving the team’s record to 6-6 (5-4 RVL) on the season.

After hosting Chanhassen Tuesday July 2, the Saints will take a short break for Independence Day before returning to action July 14 at Gaylord.