TUCSON, Az. – The Luther Baseball team began its trip to the desert with a 4-0 win over Augsburg ending a three- game losing streak. A solo home run from Noah Sebben in the bottom of the first inning set the tone for the Norse. And a combined effort on the mound from Ryan Manternah and Kaleb Thiese limited the Auggies to just three hits. Luther improves to 5-6 on the season.
 
BEAUTIFUL DAY FOR BASEBALL
Luther couldn't have asked for better weather to begin their Arizona trip just perfect for baseball. The Norse have scored in the first inning for the fourth consecutive game. As just the second batter to the plates for Luther was Noah Sebben (Moline, Ill. / Moline) who launched a solo home run for the 1-0 lead. This was his second home run of the season and his first since the season opener against Saint John's on February 25^th. Luther kept the momentum going with two back-to-back doubles from Joshua Matanich (Lake City, Minn. / Lincoln) and Aiden Michna (Moline, Ill. / Moline). Michna received an RBI for bringing in the second run of the day bringing the score to 2-0.
 
The Auggies couldn't find a way to respond with Ryan Manternach (Monticello, Iowa / Monticello) on the mound and solid Norse defense. As the final runs came in the bottom of the sixth for Luther. With two outs and a runner on second, a Will Heithoff (Winterset, Iowa / Winterset) single and advanced to second on an error by the right fielder earning an RBI for driving in the run. Jack Welch (LaCrescent, Minn. / LaCrescent) followed up with his first career double and RBI giving the Norse some extra insurance runs. Luther closed out the game with Kaleb Thiesse (Kasson, Minn. / Kasson-Mantorville) on the mound who shut down Augsburg in just four batters.
 
TOP NORSE

• Noah Seben (Moline, Ill. / Moline) with his solo home run that gave the Norse offense life right from the get go.
• Jack Welch (LaCrescent, Minn. / LaCrescent) recorded his first collegiate hit which was a double and earned an RBI in just his second game in a Norse uniform.  
• Ryan Manternach (Monticello, Iowa / Monticello) and Kaleb Thiesse (Kasson, Minn. / Kasson-Mantorville) limited the Auggies to just three hits and three strikeouts. Manternach improves to 2-2 on the season with the win.

UP NEXT
Luther will have a long day on Saturday, March 18^th with games against Macalester College at 10:00 a.m. CT and the University of Redlands at 1:30 p.m. CT in Tucson, Arizona.
 
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