Junior Blake Vogelsmeier had two hits, driving in the 'Hounds' only run during an 11-1 loss to St. Paul. (Chris Allen/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge]

ALMA -- The last time they met, the Sweet Springs baseball team gave up 10 runs in the first inning and nine more in the second during a 20-7 April 2 loss at St. Paul.

Monday's first-round match-up in the I-70 Conference Tournament -- played at Alma due to wet grounds in Concordia -- didn't contain any such disasters, but was yet another loss for the young, winless Greyhounds, 11-1 in five innings.

Sweet Springs committed seven errors, producing six unearned runs, during the contest -- which began with two Saints runs in the bottom of the first inning on a lead-off single by sophomore Tyler Mattlin and two errors.

Junior Miles Hamilton smashed a solo homer in the second and a two-run single in the third to give St. Paul a 6-0 lead before the 'Hounds got on the scoreboard with singles from juniors Quinn Jones and Blake Vogelsmeier.

That was all junior pitcher Josh Brown would allow. Mattlin singled and scored in the bottom of the fourth and the Saints finished the game early in the fifth when Mattlin stroked a two-run single, stole second base and scored on freshman Clint Stuenkel's single.

Mattlin had three hits and scored three times and Hamilton drove in three runs for St. Paul (5-6), which will play Concordia -- a 10-7 winner over Crest Ridge -- in Wednesday's semifinal round.

Vogelsmeier's two hits led Sweet Springs (0-7), which plays in the consolation bracket today against the Cougars.