It was a beautiful afternoon in the valley as Luther and St. Mary's University (MN) split a non-conference double header. The Norse won game one 6-2 and the Cardinals posted a 6-4 decision in the nightcap.

In game one, the Norse jumped on the Cardinals early scoring three runs in the first inning. They added two more runs in the third and one in the sixth to secure the victory.

Josh Matanich and Ike Swanson both drove in two runs. Noah Kindem was 3-for-4 at the plate and Ryan Truman went 2-for-4 in the leadoff slot.

Nolan Klocke was credited with the win throwing seven innings. He allowed one earned run on five hits, walked six and struck out six. Josh Straton threw the final two frames and allowed three hits and struck out two.

Box Score

The Norse never led in the nightcap, but did make things interesting in the bottom of the ninth. Trailing 6-2, the Norse tallied two runs on three hits and had two runners on base with two outs when Mark Prince stepped into the batters box. The Cardinals Mason Windschitl was called to mound, replacing Patrick Schork who took the mound at the beginning of the frame. Prince ripped a shot to left-center field that looked like a extra base hit. Center fielder Riley Bauman was running to his right, dove and was fully stretched horizontally and caught the line drive near the warning track to end the game.

The Norse tallied 12 hits. Truman was 3-for-4 and Matanich went 3-for-5. Truman, Garren Heinert and Swanson were all credited with an RBI.

Charles Running (0-1) was credited with the loss. He pitched six innings, allowed six earned runs on nine hits, walked two and struckout five. Defensively, the Norse committed five errors that led to three unearned runs.

Box Score

Luther returns to action tomorrow (Friday) when it will travel to Mankato, Minn., to play a double header at Bethany Lutheran College. The twin bill will be played at ISG Field and game one will begin at 1 p.m.