Reggie Schulte could have spent the entire summer getting ready to play football at the University of Northern Iowa, but he couldn't resist the urge to finish his career at Xavier High School with the baseball team.

It's turned out to be a good decision for everyone.

Schulte pitched four strong innings Tuesday as the Saints strolled by North Scott, 11-1, in five innings in a non-conference game at Ken Charipar Field.

Schulte (2-0) did not allow an earned run during his stint on the mound and lowered his ERA to a stingy 2.04 in 24 innings.

Schulte will join the UNI Panthers as a quarterback this August. Before that, he'll play in the Shrine Bowl in Cedar Falls on July 27. And before that, he'll try to help the Saints get as far as possible in the Class 4A baseball playoffs.

"I appreciate it. I really do," said Xavier Coach Dave Schemmel. "And I think the whole team appreciates it. He knows he's not going to be an every-day player. He's a role player."

One of those roles happens behind the scenes.

"He's one of those guys that kind of relaxes everybody in the dugout," the coach said. "He's got these little quips that kind of takes an edge off everything.

"Smart kid, good leader. It's just a plus when he's on the field. He's buds (buddies) with these guys. He wanted to give it one more shot, and I know he wants to prove he can pitch. He did a good  job."

Schulte's best sport is football, where he made the all-state team. He completed more than 70 percent of his passes last season and led the Saints to the championship game of the 4A playoffs. He's been working on his passing a little bit this summer, but he's been busy with baseball, a job and lifting weights.

"I just love being around my friends and teammates and putting on a Xavier jersey, whatever sport it is," said Schulte, who also played basketball. "There are a lot of people that like to specialize in one sport, which is fine. But I like playing all of them."

Schulte allowed only two hits Tuesday and was touched for an unearned. He did not strike anyone out, but didn't walk anyone either. He threw strikes and kept getting outs.

Schulte is looking forward to joining the UNI football team for preseason drills once the baseball season is over.

"It's exciting. I'm really excited," he said. "UNI has a great program. I'm going to keep working hard, like I did in high school.

"Once you get to college, everybody is really good. Hopefully I can get adjusted quickly and we'll see what happens."

The Saints (15-9) led by a slim 3-1 margin after 4 1/2 innings, but North Scott gave them a free pass in the bottom of the fifth. Three North Scott pitches walked eight batters in the fifth inning and Xavier scored eight times on just two hits.

Eric Schemmel delivered a two-run single in the fifth inning and Adam Pick ripped a three-run triple.

North Scott played an unsual doubleheader Tuesday. The Lancers began the day with a game at Cedar Rapids Prairie, then came over to Xavier for the 11-1 setback.

NORTH SCOTT (1): Williams, lf/3b, 2 0 0 0, Huber, 2b, 2 0 0 0, Engler, 3b/p, 2 0 1 0, Arp, 1b, 2 1 0 0, Kreiter, dh/rf, 2 0 0 1, Breneman, ss, 2 0 0 0, Fleetwood, rf/lf, 2 0 1 0, Stark, c, 2 0 0 0, Schelin, cf, 2 0 0 0, Jones, p, 0 0 0 0, Konrardy, p, 0 0 0 0, Verbrugge, p, 0 0 0 0. Totals 18 1 2 1.

XAVIER (11): Grimm, cf, 2 2 1 1, Woods, ss, 1 1 0 1, Pick, 1b, 4 1 1 3, Brown, 3b, 3 0 0 2, Ratz, rf, 2 0 1 0, Robinson, pr, 0 1 0 0, Hammerberg, c, 2 0 1 0, Drahozal, cr, 0 2 0 0, Meaney, lf, 1 2 0 0, Schulte, p, 2 0 1 0, Clarahan, cr, 0 1 0 0, Schemmel, p, 1 0 1 2, Keller, 2b, 2 1 1 1. Totals 20 11 7 10.

North Scott   010 00 - 1 2 1
Xavier           001 28 - 11 7 1

Jones, Engler (5), Konrardy (5), Verbrugge (5) and Stark. Schulte, Schemmel (5) and Hammerberg. W - Schulte (2-0). L - Jones. 2B - Engler. 3B - Pick.