DECOARH, Iowa – Back at home for the first time since April 18^th the Luther Baseball team finished its non-conference schedule with a 12-3 loss to #16 UW-La Crosse. The Eagles jumped out to quick 4-0 lead before the Norse came within one bottom. But UW-La Crosse scored eight runs in the final two innings to claim victory. Luther is now 21-16 overall and 14-7 in American Rivers Conference (A-R-C).
 
A GUSTY BLUSTERY BALL GAME
The sun was shining but the wind was howling in the final non-conference game for Luther in this 2023 season. The Norse fell behind early after La Crosse pushed across four runs in the top of the second. Luther managed to get their first hit from Noah Sebben (Moline, Ill. / Moline) but couldn't bring the run home.
 
In the bottom of the fourth leadoff hitter Joshua Matanich (Lake City, Minn. / Lincoln) smacked on deep into center field from a solo home run. Which helped cut the Eagles lead to just three. Randy Pereyra (Minneapolis, Minn. / Roosevlet) kept La Crosse from adding to their total as the game ticked on.
 
Luther gained momentum with Charlie Rubenbdall (Minneapolis, Minn. / DeLaSalle) and Gabe Atkins (Castle Pines, Colo. / Rock Canyon) both reaching on singles. Then Noah Sebben ripped one deep to right field that blew away from the fielder to earn a triple that cleared Rubendall and Atkins. The Norse were now within one run from tying the game in the bottom of the sixth. However, the Eagles got out of the inning with no further damage.
 
In the top of the eighth, La Crosse jammed the bases and scored off a Luther defensive error. Then the next Eagle batter launched a ball that got out of the park quickly for a grand slam for a 9-3 lead over Luther.
 
In the final frame La Crosse pounded out another three runs off three hits. The Norse tried their best to get something going in their final at bat but in the end the Eagles won the game 12-3. Luther now looks ahead to their final conference regular season series against Central to close the regular season. As the Norse are now 21-16 overall and 14-7 in A-R-C.
 
TOP NORSE
                            o   Joshua Matanich (Lake City, Minn. / Lincoln) hit his third home run of the season earning another RBI.
                            o   Randy Pereyra (Minneapolis, Minn. / Roosevelt) in three innings of work only gave up two hits, issued one walk and had two strikeouts.
                            o   Noah Sebben (Moline, Ill. / Moline) hit the triple that got the Norse within one in the bottom of the sixth earning two RBIs. He also had a single in the game for two total hits.
 
UP NEXT
The Norse will play their final conference series of the regular season against Central with the doubleheader on Friday, May 5^th. First pitch will be a 1:00 p.m. CT in Decorah, Iowa.
 
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