MIAC Release

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary's University's Teddy VanRanst (St. Paul, Minn.) has enjoyed a career year this season, compiling career-bests in virtually every pitching category — including ERA, wins, complete games, shutouts, innings pitched, strikeouts …

… and Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week honors.

VanRanst added his career-best first MIAC Pitcher of the Week honor Monday, after turning in his best outing of the season less than 24 hours earlier — shutting out Augsburg 2-0 in the opening game of SMU's 3-0, 6-5 sweep of the Auggies that kept the Cardinals in the thick of the conference playoff race.

VanRanst, making his team-leading ninth start of the season Sunday, flirted with a perfect game against the Auggies, retiring Augsburg in order in each of the first four innings. In the fifth, the Auggies collected back-to-back hits — a double by Adam Carl and a single by Alec Johnson — to put runners on first and third with one out. VanRanst struck out pinch-hitter Zach Pavilsick and got Gordon Kappers to foul out to first to end the threat.

For the game, VanRanst faced just three batters over the minimum — also surrendering a sixth-inning walk — while striking out a season-high four.

In this season of career-highs, VanRanst heads into the final week of the regular season boasting team- and career-bests for ERA (3.06), wins (5), starts (9), complete games (4), shutouts (1) and innings pitched (53.0).

The Cardinals, currently tied for fourth place in the MIAC standings with an 8-8 record, travel to Midway Stadium in St. Paul, Minn., for a 2:30 p.m. conference doubleheader against Hamline, before returning home for their regular-season finale against Carleton on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Max Molock Field.