Luther College and St. Mary's University (MN) traveled to Sioux City, Iowa and Briar Cliff University for a three-game series. This afternoon, the Norse defeated the Cardinals 5-0. The Norse jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first, added a run in both the fifth and sixth en route to the victory.

Ryan Manternach was handed the ball and pitched a gem. Manternach (2-0) faced 24 batters and allowed two hits, walked one and struck out seven. At one point he retired 12 batters in a row.

Calvin Brinda pitched the final two frames and allowed one hit and struck out two.

Offensively, Gavin Scurr and Joshua Matanich led a Norse attack that combined for 10 hits. Scurr was 3-for-4 with two rbi. He drove in what proved to be the game winner in the first with a double to center field that scored Luke Plunkett who reached base with a single. Plunkett finished the afternoon two-for-four.  In the bottom of the sixth, Scurr led-off with a shot over the left-center field fence, his third of the season.

Matanich finished the afternoon two-for-three with two rbi thanks to a two-run home run in the first that carried the right field fence.

The win gives Luther an overall record of 6-1. St. Mary's fell to 4-5.

The Norse and Cardinals will wrap up the three game series with a double header that will begin at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow morning.