The Fighting Bees gutted out their season rubber match against the St. Francis Fighting Saints, with the game coming down to the final inning. The first two games of the series went to extra innings, with both teams splitting the wins.

The rubber match lived up to the hype.

The Bees found themselves down 5-3 heading into the ninth, but had the heart of the order coming to the plate. Cooper Huckabone, who was a having a solid day at the dish (2-for-5, 2 2Bs, 1 RBI), led off the inning with a foulout to the catcher who made a fantastic diving grab in front of the St. Ambrose dugout.

This proved to be the catalyst for the Fighting Bees when some jawing arose between the two clubs. A fired up St. Ambrose baseball team came roaring back. Cole Aughenbaugh, who had a montser day at the plate (3-for-3, 2 BBs), drew a walk to bring the tying run to the plate. Brenden Butler did not disappoint, smoking a double down the left field line to get the tying runs in scoring position.

With Chase Calderwood running for Butler at second, Max Rumpf rocked a clutch double into the gap in right center, bringing in both runs and knotting the game at 5.

The Bees weren't done yet. Mike Coughlin smoked a ball up the middle to score the pinch-running Adam Gaydos and put the Bees ahead 6-5 in the final inning.

In the bottom of the ninth, relief-pitcher Nick Hernandez went 1-2-3 to retire the side and secure the win for the Fighting Bees. Adam Deal got the start for the Bees, going seven innings and striking out two. Hernandez picked up the win, improving his record to 3-1 on the season.

The Bees outhit the the Saints 12-6 en route to their 15th conference win this season.

The gutsy win over St. Francis moves the Bees to 19-18 overall and 15-5 in the CCAC. The Bees move into second place in the CCAC standings, jumping a half-game ahead of Olivet Nazarene.

St. Ambrose will take on Trinity International in a three-game series this coming weekend.