St. John's University had a mixed athletic weekend, with both notable highs and frustrating lows across baseball, hockey, and swimming. The baseball team faced stiff competition from No. 13 Wake Forest, the hockey squad clinched its spot in the MIAC playoffs, and the swimming and-diving team finished strong at the MIAC Championships.
Starting with baseball, the St. John's Red Storm (0-5) suffered another setback, this time falling 11-0 to Wake Forest (6-1) on Saturday at David F. Couch Ballpark. The contest marked the second game of their weekend series, with St. John's struggling to establish offensive momentum. The Red Storm managed just two hits throughout the game, with Jared Beebe and Jon LeGrande each recording one. LeGrande also contributed defensively, managing to work a walk and steal base.
St. John's starting pitcher David Rodriguez showed flashes of resilience, rebounding after giving up runs early on, but the Red Storm’s offense was unable to capitalize on opportunities. Despite generating some base runners, including two who reached through walks, they couldn't score. Wake Forest’s Matthew Dallas shined on the mound, allowing only one hit over six scoreless innings.
Wake Forest took control of the game early, with Jack Winnay hitting a home run to left field, contributing to the Demon Deacons’ impressive offensive display. They scored five runs during the third inning and continued to dominate, pushing their lead to 11-0 by the eighth inning, solidifying their commanding win. It was clear the Red Storm faced hurdles both offensively and defensively, and head coach said they need to improve before wrapping up the series on Sunday.
Moving on to hockey, the St. John's University Johnnies had more promising news as they clinched the No. 4 seed for the MIAC playoffs with their 4-2 victory against Concordia-Moorhead. This victory not only secured their spot for the postseason but also marked the 200th win of head coach Doug Schueller's career, underscoring the team's strong season.
The Johnnies had to battle to secure their win, breaking a 2-2 tie with two goals late in the third period. Junior defenseman Mason Campbell played a pivotal role by scoring the game-winner, showcasing his skill on the ice. With this victory, the Johnnies secured their place with their seventh playoff appearance over the last nine seasons, adding significant momentum as they head toward the postseason.
St. John's hockey will host Concordia for the MIAC quarterfinal, scheduled for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 26, at the Municipal Athletic Complex. The team’s successful season and playoff advancement are testaments to their hard work and grit.
Lastly, the swimming and-diving team had its moment to shine, finishing second out of six teams at the 2025 MIAC Championships, held at the University of Minnesota's Jean Freeman Aquatic Center. Gustavus Adolphus won the event, marking their sixth consecutive title, but the Johnnies put forth a commendable effort with impressive individual performances.
Junior Brayden Slavik stood out among his teammates, winning his second consecutive title in the 1,650-yard freestyle—a race where he fell just short of breaking the previous MIAC record. His remarkable time of 15:32.98 not only secured him the win but also demonstrated his potential for NCAA competition, qualifying well within the NCAA B cut.
Further highlights included senior Carter Larson defending his title in the 100-yard freestyle and the Johnnies' relay teams, which produced record-breaking performances. The 400-yard freestyle relay team made waves by setting a new program record, completing their relay with a time of 3:03.22, marking SJU's first sweep of the three freestyle relays. The overall results indicate strong potential as they transition to national competitions.
Overall, the weekend showcased the resilience and competitiveness of St. John's University athletics across different sports. While the baseball team aims to rebound from their challenging start, hockey is riding high on playoff success, and swimming continues to break records and set the stage for national competition. St. John's athletics remains committed to advancing their programs and fostering excellence on and off the field.