Stegeman provides the punch for QND in doubleheader sweep over Lutheran

Published 8:59 pm Saturday, May 9, 2026

QUINCY — It was a good day to play two for Quincy Notre Dame baseball, especially for Raiders third baseman Rowan Stegeman.

Stegeman went a combined 4-for-6 with a triple, home run, four RBIs, two runs and stolen base to help the Raiders complete a two-game doubleheader sweep over Lutheran St. Charles on Saturday at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield.

On a day QND was missing Gavin Doellman and Kyle Thompson, Stegeman stepped up and had the go-ahead hit and made a good defensive play to record the final out of the second game.

“Rowan had a great day offensively,” said QND head coach Rich Polak. “Made a great play on a ball in the last inning there. He just had a great day overall today.”

QND starting pitcher Eli Johnson dominated in the first game with a complete game shutout with 11 strikeouts, while allowing seven hits and three walks to lead the Raiders to a 6-0 win.

The Raiders took an early 3-0 lead in the first inning when Johnson singled home Kaden Marth, Matt Many scored on a wild pitch and Collin Miller hit a sac fly that scored Johnson.

That offensive surge continued in the second inning with Jayce De Jaynes scoring on a passed ball and Stegeman hitting a two-run home run.

“Eli Johnson pitched a phenomenal game on the mound,” said Polak. “We had Stegeman hit a home run in the first game and we jumped on them for three runs in the first inning and three more in the second.”

Marth went 2-for-3 with a stolen base and two runs, while Stegeman went 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBIs, one run and one stolen base.

The second game was much more competitive, with the Raiders griding out a 4-3 win.

QND starting pitcher Logan Woodyard went three innings and had one strikeout in a no decision, while allowing two walks, three hits and one earned run.

“In that second game, Logan did exactly what we wanted him to do on the bump,” said Polak. “I asked him to get three, maybe four innings today and he did. (Samuel) Klauser came in and did a good job. (Lutheran’s) pitcher (William Lacroix) was better in the second game because he pitched backwards. Our guys made some adjustments as the game went on and were able to come out on top.”

Klauser earned the win after pitching four innings in relief with two strikeouts, while allowing three walks, two hits and one earned run.

“We originally had him scheduled to start Wednesday, but with the situation with our guys that weren’t able to play today, we had to bump him to today,” said Polak. “We’ll figure out next week’s rotation later. (Klauser) did a phenomenal job.”

QND struck early once again in game two when Johnson tripled home Marth and Stegeman hit a sac fly to score Johnson.

“Th early lead in the first inning was huge,” said Polak. “It helped our pitcher relax a little bit, and allowed him to go out there and challenge hitters right away.”

The Cougars loaded the bases to start the third inning, with Braeden Casey getting hit by a pitch to score a run and Adam Lorenz hitting a sac fly RBI to tie the game at 2-2.

Lutheran took a brief lead in the fifth inning after Lorenz doubled home Jack Dwyer.

QND answered back in the bottom of the fifth with Johnson singling home Marth to tie the game, and Stegeman doubling home J.D. Grawe for the go-ahead run.

Stegeman went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs in the second game, while Johnson went 2-for-3 with a triple and two RBIs.

QND finished off a busy week 4-2 and will find out its regional seeding on Monday, which will either be held at Williamsville or Pleasant Plains.

“We’re getting ready to go into the postseason,” said Polak. “I have to do the voting for regionals on Monday, so it’s super important for us to be over .500. We’ve had quite a few one-run games that we have won, and obviously we have lost some too. We’re playing right where we need to be right now. We’re starting to figure it out on the mound.”

Up next for QND (13-12) is a home game against Macomb at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

“We’ve got some big games coming up with Macomb, Pittsfield, QHS and Routt,” said Polak. “So that’s four really quality opponents. So we’re going to come out and get our stuff together on Monday to get ready to play.”