CLINTON, Iowa --- Another day, another ten-plus-run output for the University of St. Francis baseball team, which claimed its seventh straight win with a 10-3 decision over Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference leader St. Ambrose University on Tuesday afternoon.

The contest was the fourth straight in which the Fighting Saints (17-23, 12-7 CCAC) scored at least ten runs with Brayan Hidalgo's perfect 4-for-4 day pacing the 14-hit attack.  It also moved the Saints to within one game of first place in the league standings.

Interestingly enough, both teams managed just one hit through the first three innings before the Saints broke out in a big way in the fourth inning.  After a hit batsman to open the frame, USF recorded five straight singles en route to a six-run inning. 

Jake LaSota and Dan Gusel each drove in one run with their singles, while Alex Martinez (2-for-5, 2 RBIs) provided a two-run single.  Nate Maliska also had an RBI double in the inning.

After St. Ambrose (18-21, 13-6) made it a 6-2 game in the sixth inning, the Saints added a pair of insurance runs in both the eighth and ninth innings.  Gusel's home run accounted for the first two runs as part of a 2-for-5, 3-RBI showing for him.

Hidalgo (single) and LaSota (fielder's choice) brought home the final two runs. 

Jake Vera and John McGuire were also part of the hit parade with two hits each.

Jake Jurka (3-1) extended his winning streak on the mound to three games with another quality start.  He went the first six innings, allowing just two runs (one earned).  He also struck out five batters against one walk and five hits.

Quinn McGuire recorded his second save of the season by working the final three innings.  He allowed just one unearned run.

Notes: Hidalgo became the third Saint this season to have a four-hit game … Gusel extended his streak of reaching base to a season-high ten games … Jurka tied his season high for strikeouts with five.  He has also allowed just three earned runs over his last two starts (12 1/3 innings) leading to a 2.19 earned run average in that time … The win enabled the Saints to claim the series from St. Ambrose.  The two teams split back in Joliet on March 20 … USF and Trinity Christian College start a big three-game set with a doubleheader on Friday in Palos Heights.  The Trolls are one-half game ahead of USF and one-half game behind St. Ambrose.     

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