ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Macalester College baseball team played the University of Minnesota Morris in a non-league game at Concordia-St. Paul on Saturday, with the Cougars winning, 6-5 at Barnes Field. The Scots are now 23-12 on the season, while Minn. Morris improves to 16-15.

As a result of MIAC games played around the league on Saturday, Macalester has clinched a spot in the MIAC Playoffs, which begin on May 7. The Scots currently sit in second place with a MIAC record of 12-4, two games behind first-place Bethel, two games ahead of third-place Saint John's, and three games ahead of fourth-place Saint Mary's. This is the first time since 2018 that Macalester has qualified for the MIAC Playoffs.

The Scots came out with early momentum in the first inning and immediately put pressure on the Cougars. After getting a runner on, first-year outfielder John McMurray (Washington, D.C./Sidwell Friends) stepped in and drove a two-run home run to right field, bringing in senior outfielder Raymond McCaskey (Colorado Springs, Colo./Manitou Springs) and giving Macalester a 2–0 lead before UMM could settle in. The early swing set the tone for what would be a competitive game throughout, with both teams trading momentum across the middle innings.
 
UMM began to respond in the fourth inning, taking advantage of a pair of Macalester defensive miscues. The Cougars were able to plate two unearned runs in the frame, capitalizing on extended opportunities to even the game at 2–2. An inning later, UMM carried that momentum into the fifth, where a solo home run to left field gave the visitors their first lead of the afternoon at 3–2.
 
Macalester answered in a big way in the sixth inning with its most productive inning of the game. McMurray continued his strong day at the plate, lining an RBI double into left center to tie the game at 3–3. The Scots stayed aggressive on the bases and forced UMM into mistakes, as a wild pitch later in the inning allowed McMurray to score the go-ahead run. Moments later, senior outfielder Niko Alexander (Bethesda, Md./Walt Whitman) created another scoring opportunity on the bases, as he swiped second base and drew a throw that allowed junior catcher Ben Oberdorfer (Jacksonville, Fla./Paxon School) o cross the plate, stretching the lead to 5–3.
 
On the mound, Macalester relied on multiple arms to navigate the game. Junior Isaiah Ramirez (Houston, Texas/Bellaire) opened with a clean inning, setting an early tone. Junior Damian Man (Houston, Texas/Bellaire) provided a key stretch out of the bullpen, tossing two scoreless innings while striking out a pair and limiting traffic. The Scots were able to manage the middle innings effectively, but UMM continued to apply pressure.
 
That approach paid off in the eighth inning, when the Cougars found a way back into the game. With the bases loaded, a hit-by-pitch brought in a run, and a sacrifice fly later in the inning tied the score at 5–5. In the ninth, the Cougars delivered the decisive blow, as a solo home run to left center gave UMM a 6–5 lead. Macalester was unable to respond in the bottom half, as UMM closed out the game to secure the win.

Senior Tristan Collins (Severna Park, Md./Severn School) was charged with the loss, while first year Winston Wisely (Mahtomedi, Minn./Mahtomedi) logged two innings in relief and recorded three strikeouts. As a staff, Macalester pitchers combined for seven strikeouts but also issued seven walks and hit four batters. Offensively, McMurray led the Scots with a home run, a double, and three RBIs, accounting for the bulk of Macalester's run production. 
 
The Scots take to Mankato on Monday, April 27th for their last non-conference game of the season, where they will face off against Bethany Lutheran College. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.