Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Cael Kolacia pitches for St. Edmond against Humboldt on Monday night at Rogers Park. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

It wasn’t perfect, but it was an early statement from the St. Edmond pitching staff on opening night for the Gaels.

Junior Cael Kolacia and sophomore Emanuel Perry combined to throw a no-hitter as St. Edmond (1-0 overall) beat North Central Conference foe Humboldt (0-1) 3-1 in what was classified as a non-conference contest between North Central Conference rivals at Rogesr Park on Monday.

“We talked with the seniors and we have set some lofty goals,” said SEHS head coach Mike Szalat. “I really like this team. They show leadership out there.”

Kolacia (1-0) picked up the win and Perry earned the save, as the duo combined for 16 strikeouts. Kolacia fanned 11, while Perry set down five of the six batters he faced.

The junior ace set the side down in order in the first and fifth innings. He walked three and hit three batters.

“Cael had one bad inning,” Szalat said. “The one thing that we need to have from him is for him to keep his pitch count low. He has to attack the hitters in the bottom of the order especially.

“I complimented him on his demeanor, though. When he was struggling, he was still able to stay focused mentally. And there were times where he was dominant. Emanuel had a great game for us at the plate and on the mound. He had the big hit, then came in and threw well.”

Humboldt pitchers were on as well, as the Wildcat arms combined for a three-hitter. St. Edmond’s lone outburst came in the fourth, as the Gaels plated all three of their runs.

John Nemmers was on third with the bases loaded and one out. Szalat put on a suicide squeeze sign. The play didn’t go as planned, but Nemmers still raced home, sliding in for the first run of the ballgame.

“We got lucky on a suicide squeeze,” Szalat said. “We missed a sign, but we’re able to get a run across anyway.”

Perry then delivered a two-run single to right-center to give St. Edmond two more runs, as Grant Heldorfer and Peyton Scott raced home.

Noah Carlson and Scott had the other hits for the Gaels.

Senior Jacob Thurm started the contest for the Wildcats and kept them off the board until the fourth. The Wildcats combined to strike out 11 SEHS batters.

“We gave them a couple of freebies and they capitalized,” said Humboldt head coach Jason Thurm. “Both of their pitchers did a good job.

“We just need to make adjustments and keep growing.”

Humboldt scored one run in the top of the sixth. Caden Matson was hit by a pitch to start the frame. He was stealing second base as the ball got away, then he raced all the way home.

The Gaels are back in action on Tuesday as they head to North Union. Varsity first pitch is set for 7:30 p.m.