MOLINE, Ill. — Behind designated hitter Waylon Bemboom’s three hits and three RBIs, the St. Thomas baseball team exploded for 10 runs in the first two innings of its second game in the NCAA regional tournament to defeat Buena Vista University 11-5 Friday night at Swanson Stadium.

The Tommies racked up seven runs in the first inning and three more in the second by taking advantage of ten hits and three Beaver errors in the first two innings. Coach Chris Olean said the offensive explosion was largely due to contributions made by less-heralded players.

“We had guys step up and make an impact who may not have been the ones to carry the team in the regular season,” Olean said. “But we need that if we expect to win games in the NCAA tournament.”

The Tommies jumped out to an early lead and batted through the order in the top of the first inning, scoring seven runs on six hits off Buena Vista starter Scott Harris.

Center fielder Ben Podobinski led off the game with an infield single and advanced to third base on a Bemboom double. The next batter, third baseman Jack Hogan, walked to load the bases for left fielder Tim Kuzniar.

Kuzniar started off the Tommies’ scoring when he laced a double to right field to score Podobinski and Bemboom. Kuzniar said he recognized the importance of scoring early, especially in an NCAA playoff game.

“We had confidence going into this game because we saw this guy down in Tulsa earlier in the year,” Kuzniar said. “I just went up there in the first inning looking for a fastball that I could drive, and I put some runs on the board.”

After Kuzniar’s two-RBI double, St. Thomas added five more runs in the inning – including two on an RBI single by Bemboom – to take a 7-0 lead after one inning.

Bemboom said he was able to see the ball well off Harris and knew the fastball was Harris’ best pitch.

“I was just looking for his hard and straight fastball, so I just put the bat on the ball and let him supply the power,” Bemboom said.

St. Thomas added three more runs in the second inning on RBI singles by shortstop Brady Johnson, first baseman Nick Degen and Bemboom.

After a scoreless third inning, St. Thomas added another run in the fourth inning on an RBI bunt-single by Podobinski that made the score 11-0 in favor of the Tommies.

Given an early lead, starting pitcher Eric Veglahn effectively shut the Beavers down in his seven innings pitched. Veglahn gave up two runs, one unearned, and struck out ten batters while walking only two. He said he was able to pitch effectively because of the run support.

“Obviously when the team scores ten runs in the first two innings it makes my job a lot easier,” Veglahn said. “I was able to just settle down and use a good mix of pitches to put away these batters.”

Buena Vista added three runs in the top of the ninth inning off reliever Matt Behounek before left fielder Nick Schlecht flied out to end the rally and the game. Olean said the game didn’t end ideally, but the result remained the same.

“I was a little disappointed in how we closed the game because we went into a bit of a lull,” Olean said. “But at the end of the day, we’re 2-0 going into tomorrow.”

St. Thomas will resume NCAA tournament play against Depauw University at noon Saturday at Swanson Stadium. Depauw is the only other unbeaten team remaining in the Moline regional.

Tom Pitzen can be reached at pitz2014@stthomas.edu.