Luther College and St. Mary's University (MN) wrapped up their three-game series at Briar Cliff University on an absolutely awesome spring day in Sioux City, Iowa. With temperatures in the upper 50's and lower 60's, the two teams split today's double header. Luther won game one 7-6 and St. Mary's won the nightcap 7-6 in 11 innings. Both games were come-from-behind victories.
In game one, the Cardinals held a 6-1 lead after five of this schedule seven inning game. The Norse pulled to within two thanks to a three-run home run by
Noah Sebben in the sixth that cleared the center field fence. In the bottom of the seventh,
Joe Jersak pinch hit for
Will Heithoff and reached base after being hit-by-pitch. Two batters later,
Luke Plunkett beat out a slow ground ball to shortstop that gave the Norse two base runners with one out.
Charlie Rubendall singled to left that scored Jersak, that set the stage for Josh Matanich. Facing a 3-2 count with two outs, Matanich hit a double to left-center field that scored both Plunkett and Rubendall to secure the victory.
Matanich finished the game 2-for-3 with three rbi. Plunkett and Rubendall were both 2-for-4.
Will Angstman was credited with the win in relief. Angstman threw the final two frames, did not allow a hit, walked one and struck out two.
In game two, Luther jumped out to a 6-1 lead after four, but were unable to score in the final seven innings of action in this schedule nine inning game. St. Mary's tied the game thanks to three runs in the fifth and one in both the sixth and eighth innings.
In the bottom of the 11th, the Cardinals Trevon VanEgtern produced a bases loaded walk-off single to left field to secure the victory.
Rubendall (2-for-4) and Sebben (3-for-6) both drove in two runs. Stamp (3-for-6), Plunkett (2-for-4) and Matanich (2-for-4) also had multiple hit games.
The split gives Luther an overall record of 7-2, while St. Mary's finished the weekend at 5-5.
Luther returns to action next weekend when it will travel to Lee Pfund Stadium, Carol Stream, Ill., and will play Aurora University and Wheaton College on March 18. The next day Luther and St. Mary's will face each other for the final time this season.
