DULUTH, Minn. -- Senior left-hander Ryan Rodriguez (Chaska, Minn./Chaska) threw seven strong innings, scattering eight hits, and classmate Bryce Flanagan (Brainerd, Minn./Brainerd Senior) went 2-for-4 with a run scored as the UW-Superior baseball team topped Minnesota Morris, 4-3, at Wade Stadium Saturday.
 
Rodriguez (3-3) struck out four and did not walk a batter on the day before giving way to Matt Tappe (St. Anthony, Minn./St. Anthony Village) who limited the Cougars to one hit over the final two frames to earn his first save of the season.
 
With the win, UWS (8-14, 4-3 UMAC) has won four of its last five games.
 
The Yellowjackets jumped on top early, scoring twice in the bottom of the first inning off of Minnesota Morris starter Cole Mammenga (2-2). Ryan Castaneda (San Pedro, Calif./Junipero Serra) singled through the right side with one out to score Ben Rhodes (Superior, Wis./Superior Senior), who singled up the middle to start the rally.
 
Superior benefited from an error from Cougars' second baseman David Steffen to push the second run across as Flanagan's bouncer to third was booted, allowing Payton Steiner (Baraboo, Wis./Baraboo) to score.
 
Steffen redeemed himself in the third with a double down the right-field line with two out to cut the deficit in half. 
 
Rodriguez retired the side in order both the fifth and seventh innings prior to Superior scoring a pair in the bottom of the seventh to widen the lead.
 
Flanagan started the inning with a single through the right side and was sacrificed to second by Christian Garcia (Blue Springs, Mo./Blue Springs). After a flyout, Jordan Trimble (Victorville, Calif./Grandview (Colo.)) walked, putting runners on the corners for Sam McNosky (Minneapolis, Minn./DeLaSalle) who lined a single to center, plating Flanagan.
 
Nick Fredrikson (Minneapolis, Minn./St. Anthony Village) followed with an RBI single through the right side for a 4-1 UWS lead. Colin Lindgren relieved Mammenga and promptly walked Rhodes to load the bases, but induced a Steiner fly ball to get out of the inning.
 
Minnesota Morris (10-11, 1-5) got both runs back in eighth. Rodriguez surrendered consecutive doubles to Alex Baumann and Tyler Scheler to make it 4-2. Tappe entered and recorded two straight outs -- including a strikeout of Steffen. Ty Beasley though, took a 3-1 pitch up the middle to plate Scheler to again shave the deficit to one run.
 
Neither team scored rest of the way and the 'Jackets held on for the win.
 
Morris outhit UWS, 9-8, on the day, led by Baumann's 3-for-4 effort with a double, stolen base and two runs scored. Scheler and Bealey also collected two hits apiece for the visitor.
 
The teams close the series with a Wednesday doubleheader at Putz Field in St. Cloud, Minn. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.