AUBURNDALE, Fla. – The UW-Stevens Point baseball team (5-1) finished the first half of the Florida trip with an 8-5 win over St. Scholastica (5-7).
 
UWSP's offense woke up a bit with Aaron Simmons (Franklin, Wis./Franklin) leading the way with a 4-for-4 game. He drove in two and scored twice. Bradley Comer (Rhinelander, Wis./Rhinelander) added a pair of hits and had three RBI. Logan Matson (Neillsville, Wis./Neillsville) also had two hits and scored three runs.
 
Matson started UWSP's third inning with a double to right-center. Matt Baumann (New Berlin, Wis./Eisenhower) sacrificed him to third and her scored on a wild pitch to give UWSP the lead.
 
The Saints responded in the top of the fourth with two runs on two hits to take a 2-1 edge.
 
With two outs in the bottom of the fourth, the Pointers answered. Jakob Boos (Littleton, Colo./Heritage) and Matson drew back-to-back walks. Baumann singled to load the bases.  Simmons followed with a  two-RBI single to left as UWSP reclaimed the lead.
 
Kyle Finger (Clintonville, Wis./Clintonville) began the sixth with a single. Two batters later, Matson singled to put two aboard. Simmons singled again and two runs scored on the play. Payton Nelson (Wausau, Wis./West) and Comer hit consecutive singles and UWSP led 6-2 after six.
 
Simmons drew a two-out walk in the eighth. Nelson followed with a walk and both ended up in scoring position on a wild pitch. Comer came through with a single to center pushing both runners home.
 
The Saints made it interesting in the ninth with three runs on three hits, but CSS left the bases loaded to end the game.
 
Nick Paulsen (Balsam Lake, Wis./Unity) earned the win with 6.0 frames and tied a career high with six strikeouts.  Sidney Ferry (Paw Paw, Mich./Homeschooled) picked up his 10th career save by recording the final out with the bases loaded.
 
UWSP will enjoy an off day before returning to play on Monday (March 21) against Wooster. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. ET.