Just two outs away from a comeback win, St. Ambrose watched Saint Xavier score three times in the top of the ninth as the Cougars rallied themselves for a 7-6 win at Modern Woodmen Park Friday afternoon.

Trailing 4-3 entering the eighth, the Bees put together a three-run rally. Bryce Vincent started the inning by drawing a walk. Jake Mucha's sacrifice bunt was thrown away to put the first two batters on base. Adrian Zietara laced a two-strike double into the left-center gap to plate two runs and give SAU a 5-4 lead. Zietara advanced to third on Mike Pawyza's ground out and scored on a balk.

But the two-run lead wasn't enough. With one out, Saint Xavier (12-15, 4-2 CCAC) had a runner reach on an error before back-to-back singles loaded the bases. A walk cut the Bees' lead to 6-5. Then Zietara made a diving catch deep in right, but two Cougars scored on the play.

SAU (7-18, 2-3 CCAC) threatened in the bottom of the ninth. Cooper Huckabone walked and took second on Brock Webber's sacrifice. But Huckabone was stranded in scoring position to end the game.

Hunter Keim was charged with the loss. Brad Niedzwiedz started and allowed three earned runs over 4 2/3 innings before Nick Hernandez provided 3 2/3 innings of relief, surrendering only two unearned runs.

Niedzwiedz was staked to an early 2-0 lead as Mucha came up with a big two-out hit to score a pair of runs in the bottom of the first.

Zietara, who finished 2-for-4, gave the Bees a 3-1 lead when he scored on a wild pitch in the fourth. SXU had a three-run fifth inning to take the lead leading to the late-inning back-and-forth.

Vincent also collected two hits in the loss.

The two teams will play a doubleheader in Chicago Sunday.