Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Southeast Valley’s Ryan Stewart pitches against St. Edmond on Tuesday at Rogers Park. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

The St. Edmond baseball team left Rogers Park here Tuesday night with a much better feeling around them compared to 24 hours earlier.

While the end result was the same, as the Gaels suffered a 2-0 loss to Southeast Valley, head coach Mike Szalat saw plenty to build from during the non-conference contest.

“That was a good game between two solid pitchers,” Szalat said. “That’s the kind of pitcher we are going to see in districts, so it was a good test for our kids.

“Those are the kinds of games that are fun to be involved with. You just hope to find a way and come out on top in them.”

The Jaguars scored single runs in the third and fourth, as Casey Hanson drove in Logan Jaeschke first before Brady Hanson crossed home on an error.

That was enough support for Southeast Valley’s Ryan Stewart, as the junior went six innings with 11 strikeouts around five walks and four hits allowed.

On the opposite side, eighth-grader Blake Bartlett pitched a complete game, striking out nine without a walk and scattering four hits.

“We made some changes in our defense and our batting order but I didn’t see anybody moping around about it,” Szalat said. “We had great attitudes, and had kids picking each other up.

“I was really proud of Griffin Laufersweiler. He didn’t get the start but came on when Jack (McElroy) got hurt. He didn’t get upset about not starting and went out there and did what we asked of him.”

Grant Galles, Kinnick Henning, Kade Schlegel and Quintin Jaeschke all had hits for the Gaels. Maddox Shirbroun, Koleman Hanson, Julian Blanco, Laufersweiler, Bartlett and Ethan Swisher reached on walks.

St. Edmond had several scoring opportunities, stranding 10 runners — including six in scoring position. Of those six, three were left at third base when the third out was recorded.

“Blake pitched a great game,” Szalat said. “To need just 84 pitches over seven innings, not walk a batter and allow four hits shows what he is capable of producing on the mound.”

Southeast Valley turned a double play to end the contest, securing the first win in the series since 2021.

Next action for the Gaels will be Saturday when they travel to Remsen for the CYO tournament. The Jaguars (2-2 overall) host Sioux Central on Wednesday.

SOUTHEAST VALLEY 2, ST. EDMOND 0

SE Valley 001 100 0 — 2 4 1

St. Edmond 000 000 0 — 0 4 2

WP–Ryan Stewart (1-0, 6 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 11 K, 5 BB). LP–Blake Bartlett (1-2, 7 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 9 K, 0 BB). 2B–SEV: Casey Hanson, Lenix Albee. RBI–SEV: Casey Hanson. SB–SE: Quintin Jaeschke, Grant Galles, Julian Blanco.