Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
Junior
Nate Baumann crushed a leadoff home run to get the Augustana baseball season off to a fast start as the Vikings split a doubleheader against Rockhurst Sunday night in the Metrodome. Augsutana took the opener 13-2 while Rockhurst claimed the nightcap 14-5.
Augustana is 1-1 following the season-opening twinbill, while Rockhurst is 3-1.
Baumann's homer was the only score by either team in the first inning, but Rockhurst was able to manufacture a run in the second. Augie answered quickly, with junior
Gates Cook leading the second inning off with a triple. Senior
Dan Morrison was walked and a groundout by
Corey Johnson scored Cook. Morrison scored on a single by
Brian Knight.
The Vikings kept Rockhurst scoreless in the third, but were able to put up two runs thanks to aggressive base running. Baumann started the inning with a single and stole both second and third bases before
Drew Heithoff was walked. Heithoff stole second base before a sacrifice fly by
Deryk Marks scored Baumann. A single by Cook scored Heitoff, allowing Augie to take a 5-1 lead.
Rockhurst scored another run in the fourth, but the Vikings put together a big inning.
Corey Johnson was hit by a pitch and
Chris Ward came in to pinch run. A single by Night advanced Ward to second and both runners scored on a double by
Nate Hewes. Hewes was able to advance to third and also score on two wild pitches.
The sixth inning also proved to be big for the Vikings as Hewes walked, then stole second, and was driven home by a single from Baumann. A Heithoff single moved Baumann to second before he was able to advance to third and also score on wild pitches. A walk by Marks moved Heithoff to second and
Charlie Dubanoski singled to send Heithoff home.
Jose Martinez subbed in to pinch run for Dubanoski. A double by
Derek Hansen scored both Martinez and Marks to make the final score 13-2.
Tyler Pierson (1-0) was the winning pitcher, allowing only two runs on four hits in four innings of work. He faced 15 batters and struck out two. Freshman
Grant Larson made his career debut, pitching three innings of relief to earn the save. He allowed only one hit in 10 batters faced.
Augie didn't fare as well in the second game. Rockhurst got out to a fast start, scoring two runs in the first inning and another two in the second while keeping the Vikings scoreless.
The Vikings were primed for a comeback, however, putting together a big third inning. Knight singled and Baumann reached on an error by the second baseman. Both runners were eventually driven home on a double by Marks. Heithoff was walked and after advancing to third on the Marks double, scored on a sacrifice fly by Dubanoski. Marks scored when Cook reached on an error by the third baseman. The Vikings had taken the lead, 4-3.
The lead wasn't theirs for long though as Rockhurst scored seven runs in the bottom of the third.
The Vikings were able to score one more run in the fifth inning, when a Marks double scored Heithoff, but Rockhurst waked away with the 14-5 victory.
Lidke suffered the loss for the Vikings, going 2.1 innings and allowing five runs.
Baumann went 4-for-8 on the day with one home run. He also scored four times, had two RBI, and stole three bases. Marks was 5-for-6 with three RBI.
The Vikings will next travel to Golden, Colo. on Saturday, where they will play Colorado School of Mines at noon (MT). On Sunday, Augie takes on Nebraska-Kearney, also in Golden, at 11 a.m. (MT).
