It was a warm but breezy afternoon in the valley as Luther hosted Simpson for the American Rivers Conference home opener. The teams split the double header as Simpson won game one 2-1 and Luther earning a 13-1 victory in seven innings in the nightcap.

In the opener, starting pitchers Trey Castile for Simpson and Kaleb Thiesse for the Norse had a good old fashion pitching duel. The two teams both scored a run in the second and posted zeros on the board until the top of the ninth, when the Storm scored what proved to be the game winning run. Castile went 6 1/3 frames and allowed five hits, walked two and struck out five. Thiesse went 8 innings and allowed six hits, did not issue a walk and struck out six. Niether pitcher was credited with a decision.

In the ninth, the Storm loaded the bases and Nate Cagley drove in the game winner with a sacrifice fly to center field.

Box Score

In the nightcap, the Norse bats came alive and they produced 13 hits and blew this game wide open scoring five runs in the third, followed by a six-run effort in the fourth. Josh Matanich led the attack with 4 RBI, followed by Mark Prince and Zach Gwost with 3 RBI each. Garren Heinert, Gavin Scurr, Prince, and Gwost all had mutliple hit efforts.

Charles Running recorded his first win of the year allowing one run on three hits in four innings of work. Blake Jondle and Noah Dutler also saw some work on the mound and combined the staff held the Storm to just five hits.

Box Score

Saturday the Norse and Storm wrapped up their three-game series with a start time of 10 a.m. to get the nine-inning game in before the rain was predicted to start at 1 p.m. The Storm won the series thanks to a 15-3 victory this morning. The Storm tallied 17 hits and scored in every inning except two. The Norse scored twice in the fourth and once in the seventh and were credited with nine hits but also committed four errors.

Designated hitter Gavin Scurr was 3-for-4 and had two RBI. Tyrus Werner also drove in a run and was 2-for-4 at the plate.

The loss gives Luther a conference record of 1-5, 5-14 overall. 

The Norse return to action on Tuesday, April 1, when they will travel to Wartburg College for a nine inning game that will begin at 6 p.m.

Box Score