RIPON, Wis. - Down by three runs entering the bottom of the eighth inning Monday afternoon, Ripon's bats came alive for a seven-run inning to cap a comeback and a 12-8 victory over St. Norbert College. The Red Hawks recorded a season-high 16 hits, including four doubles.

St. Norbert (5-9, 0-1 MWC North) captured the game's first lead with a pair of runs in the top of the first, but Ripon answered with a four-run third inning, which saw the first three batters reach base. Jacob Pankratz got the Red Hawks on teh board with a two-run single to center, while Nick Taranto and Riley Erickson also each recorded an RBI in that frame. 

St. Norbert would tie things up with two runs in the top of the fourth, but Ripon would take the lead back in the bottom of that inning on an RBI single by Pankratz.

St. Norbert looked to take control of the game with four runs on five hits in the top of the seventh, giving them their largest lead of the game at 8-5, but Ripon had an answer the following inning. The Red Hawks' big inning saw their seven runs score on five hits, with 12 batters coming to the plate. Keegan Johnston got Ripon's scoring spree going with a two-run double to center field, followed by an RBI by Noah Herreid to tie the game. Michael Barnes then gave the Red Hawks the lead for good with a laser up the middle that nearly took the opposing pitcher's head off. Joey Garza then drew a bases loaded walk and Erickson drove in two more with a single to left to cap the scoring.

All nine batters in Ripon's lineup recorded at least one hit, led by Erickson and Herreid, who had three apiece. Pankratz, Garza, and Johnston each finished with two base knocks. Brody Marks (2-0) pitched 2.2 innings of one hit ball in relief to earn the victory, striking out one and walking none.

The second game of Monday's scheduled doubleheader was postponed due to darkness, and will be rescheduled for a later date. These two teams are scheduled for another twinbill on Tuesday in De Pere at Noon.