JOLIET, Ill. --- Two out hits and a pair of two run home runs from Gio Pappas and Luke Ketchum propelled the University of St. Francis baseball team to an 11-7 come from behind victory over neighboring rival Lewis University In the home opener at Duly Health and Care Field on Tuesday afternoon.

All 11 runs scored by the Saints (2-7) came after two outs, including a five run fifth inning that turned the tide on the contest. John McGuire started the rally with an RBI single to right centerfield to tie the contest at four all before Pappas followed with his opposite field blast to right field to put USF up for good. Jonathan Wolf then walked to set up Ketchum's home run to left field to cap off the inning and turn a 4-3 deficit into an 8-4 lead. 

St. Francis initially fell behind 3-0 in the third inning before Eric Maffie got the Saints back in the game with his two run double in the bottom of the third inning. Lewis (0-4) regained a two run cushion with a run in the top half of the fourth inning only to have Jake Vera answer right back with his run scoring double in the bottom of the frame. The double was one of four on the day for USF and one of six extra base hits among the team's 15 total collected.

The Saints' final three runs came on singles from Jake LaSota, Josh Kirnbauer, and Pappas, who finished the day going 3 for 4 with three runs batted in and two extra base hits (double) after initially coming in to pinch hit in the fourth inning.

Pappas was one of six Saints to record multiple hits with Noah Kararo, Kirnbauer, Maffie, McGuire, and Vera all producing two hits.

Nick Villasenor (1-2) picked up his first win of the season with two innings of scoreless relief. He retired all six batters he faced in the fifth and sixth innings.

Up Next
The Saints and Lewis meet up against on Wednesday at Duly Health and Care Field for another 2 pm first pitch.

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