Nine runs over the final three innings propelled St. Ambrose to a 12-4 victory over Clarke in the first game of a doubleheader Tuesday in Dubuque, Iowa. The Pride bounced back to win the second game 10-5.

The Bees collected five extra-base hits in the opener, including three home runs. Joey Fitzgerald Jr. hit a solo shot in the second inning to get SAU on the board. Jake Pauley had a two-run homer in the sixth that opened up an 8-4 lead. And Caden Thode wrapped up the scoring with a three-run blast in the seventh.

Pauley and Thode each drove in three while Jeremy Conforti and Brandon Roth had two RBIs apiece.

It was Conforti's two-run double in the third that put St. Ambrose in front 3-2. After Clarke regained a 4-3 lead, a Pauley double plated Daniel Laughery to tie the game. Filip Milatovic and Roth rollowed with RBI singles to put the Bees in front 6-4.

After Pauley's home run gave SAU a four-run lead in the sixth, Roth added another run-scoring single before Thode's homer in the seventh.

Four different Bees pitched in the win. Jacob Bosse struck out three in his one inning of work. Michael Betancourt went 1 1/3 innings before Justin Lane earned the win with 2 2/3 innings of work. Joe Evans pitched the final two frames.

Clarke exploded for four runs in the first and third innings in winning the final game.

Conforti had three hits, while Roth, Noah Chase and Bryce Vorwald had two hits apiece. Roth homered and added an RBI single. Conforti and Chase also each knocked in a run.

Sergio Marchizza started and took the loss. He was follwed by Danny Molony, Caden Schwenker, Aaron Vertuno, Garrett Vincent, Hayden Kingsbury and Chase Martin.

St. Ambrose (21-23) will close the regular season with a four-game series against Calumet. Friday's doubleheader will be played in Whiting, Ind., before St. Ambrose will host the final two games Saturday.