The Fighting Bees picked up two big conference wins over the (RV) Saint Xavier Cougars Tuesday afternoon in Chicago, Ill.

Both games required extra innings, but the Fighting Bees rose to the occasion in the clutch to pull out two big wins.

St. Ambrose tallied the first run of the game in the opener, but slowly lost control of the lead. Saint Xavier (26-8, 9-4 CCAC) would score three unanswered over the next six innings to hold a three-run lead heading into the final seventh inning.

With only three outs remaining, the Bees battled back with a three-spot in the top of the seventh. Nate Villagomez got the Bees back on the board with an RBI single to short. Zietara then tied the game up with an RBI double to left center that scored the courtesy-running Tyreece Morgan. 

The Bees would take the lead off the bat of Brenden Butler, but the Cougars kept things interesting with a game-tying run in the bottom of the seventh to force extras.

In the extra-eighth inning, Adrian Zietara and Shawn Rigsby both got on base with two outs. After a passed ball moved both runners up a bag, Bryce Vincent roped a single up the middle to plate both runners.

Saint X would get two runners on two start the bottom of the eighth, but James Cormier would mow down the next three Cougars to secure the 6-4 win. Cormier went three innings in relief, only allowing one run on three hits to pick up his third win of the season.

Game 2 was another nail-biter that went the distance. The Bees took the lead in the fourth inning off a squeeze play, with Mike Snow laying down the sac bunt to get Rigsby home.

Saint X would tie the game in the bottom of the sixth and the two squads would find themselves in extras once again. The Bees would find some magic in the 10th inning. Cooper Huckabone hit a chopper to the pitcher and used his speed to force an errant throw to first. This allowed Rigsby to score the game-winning run from second base.

Similar to game 1, the Cougars' leadoff man got on base. However, Nick Hernandez would go on to pick up three straight outs to nail down the 2-1 lead. Hernandez didn't allow a run in four relief innings, scattering one hit to go with a pair of strikeouts.

The Fighting Bees improve to 19-6 overall and 10-3 in the CCAC. St. Ambrose will take on Calumet St. Joseph on Thursday at Modern Woodmen Park.