Playing in its final regular season series, the Maryville baseball team took two at McKendree Friday in Lebanon, Ill. In the opener that was halted mid-game for more than two hours, Ben Hopkins mashed five RBIs on two doubles to power the Saints to a 9-3 win. Kaleb Huxford went the distance in game two as the Saints grabbed a 5-4 decision. Hopkins finished with seven RBI in the doubleheader.
 
Game One:
Hopkins set the tone for game one with a double to center for a 2-0 lead in the top of the first. Nick Hofmann scored on a McKendree error for a 3-0 lead. With the bases loaded in the second, Hopkins doubled again to centerfield for a 6-0 cushion. The Saints loaded the bases again and walks by Austin Tapella and Nick Hofmann forced in back-to-back runs and an 8-0 advantage. The Bearcats scored twice in the third but Maryville tacked on a final run in the seventh.
 
Winning Pitcher: Jamie Young (3-3)
Losing Pitcher: Mark Brantz (0-1)
Hitting Leaders: Ben Hopkins 2-for-4, two 2B, five RBI. Dominic Connolly 2-for-5, two runs, two hits.
 
Game Two:
Joey Polak cranked a solo blast in the first to push the Saints ahead. Huxford and McKendree starter Logan Boente recorded zeros until the bottom of the fifth. The Bearcats pushed across two runs to take a 2-1 edge. The Saints roared back with four runs in the top of the sixth. Jackson Burrell scored on a wild pitch, and Polak doubled to centerfield to plate Michael Gould for a 3-2 lead. Hopkins smacked a two-run blast for a 5-2 advantage. McKendree tallied twice and had the game-tying run in scoring position, but Huxford induced a ground out to end the game.
 
Winning Pitcher: Kaleb Huxford (2-7)
Losing Pitcher: Logan Boente (2-5)
Hitting Leaders: Joey Polak 3-for-4, HR, two RBI. Ben Hopkins 1-for-3, HR, two RBI.
 
Records:
Maryville: 17-21, 15-15 GLVC
McKendree: 14-24, 7-23 GLVC
 
Up Next:
The teams close out the regular season with a doubleheader at Hypes Field Friday, May. 7, starting at Noon in Lebanon, Ill.