Coupeville grad Ben Etzell (3) nailed down the save Thursday as Saint John’s University won its 12th straight game. (Libby Auger photo)
Want the door slammed? Call Ben.
The Saint John’s University baseball team is soaring, and the Johnnies handed the ball to Coupeville grad Ben Etzell when it mattered most Thursday afternoon.
Pitching a scoreless seventh inning, he notched his first save of the season and sealed the deal on a 3-2 win over host Saint Mary’s.
After starting the frame with a pair of fly outs, Etzell gave up a single, but then came back to end the game on an exclamation point, whiffing the final batter.
The victory, Saint John’s 12th straight, lifts SJU to 28-5 as it makes a run towards the postseason.
The Johnnies have a pair of weekend doubleheaders left, facing St. Olaf College Saturday and the University of Saint Thomas Sunday.
After that comes the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tourney May 10-13, where SJU will vie for a berth in the NCAA D-III tourney.
Etzell, a senior, has pitched in 11 games this season, going 1-2 while posting a 2.38 ERA. He has 11 strikeouts and has surrendered just three runs across 11.1 innings.
For his career, the former Wolf is 9-4 with eight saves and 87 whiffs.
Coupeville Sports 
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