Waverly, Iowa - Luther and Wartburg wrapped up their three-game series with a double header this afternoon at Hertel Field. The Norse swept the Knights posting scores of 20-15 and 14-10. The two teams combined for 59 runs on 60 hits in a double header that took nearly six hours to complete.
The two wins gives Luther an A-R-C record of 6-5, good for fourth place in the league standings. Wartburg fell to 6-9 in league play and is tied for sixth.
Game 1: Luther 20, Wartburg 15
Trailing 10-6 after six, Luther scored eight runs in the seventh and put three on the board in both the eighth and ninth innings to secure the victory.
Joshuah Matanich led the Norse attack going 4-for-6 and driving in eight runs after hitting three home runs. His first was a three-run shot in the first inning, followed by a solo home run in the sixth. He finished the game with a two-run blast in the ninth. He also drove in two runs with a single in the seventh.
Noah Kindem,
Peyton Lindmark,
Will Heithoff and
Patrick Fontaine all had two rbi.
Mark Prince hit a solo home run in the sixth and both
Noah Dutler and
Noah Pinette were credited with one rbi.
Anthony Esposito (2-0) was credited with the win in relief. Esposito pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowed four earned runs on two hits, walked one and struck out three. He was the third of five Norse pitchers that took the mound.
Kaleb Thiesse was credited with his third save of the season. Thiesse threw the final two frames and allowed two earned runs on two hits, walked one and struck out four.
Game 2: Luther 14, Wartburg 10
Luther never trailed in this game scoring twice in the first, second and fifth innings, and putting a four on the board in the third and seventh frames.
Prince and Fontaine led the Norse attack producing four and three rbi respectively. Fontaine hit a three-run double in the third, while Prince hit a two-run home run in the first and added rbi singles in the second and fifth innings. Prince has now hit 8 home runs this season and 14 for his career. He currently ranks fifth on Luther's all-time list for career home runs. Ben Schott holds the Norse single season record for home runs (10) set in 2010.
Gavin Scurr and Kindem both had two rbi. Kindem's came on a two-run blast in the seventh. Matanich and Heithoff were also credited with an rbi.
Charles Running (1-3) picked up his first win of the season in relief. Running took over in the second and pitched six full innings. He allowed four earned runs on seven hits, walked three and struck out four.
Up Next: A full week of baseball is scheduled for next week. On Tuesday, April 16 the Norse will host the Dutch of Central College for one nine inning game at 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 19-20, Luther will host Buena Vista University. Friday's single game will start at 3 p.m. and Saturday's twin bill will begin at Noon.
