BOX SCORE SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Augustana used two big innings to cruise to a 10-4 win over Dakota Wesleyan in their home opener. The Vikings improve to 10-9 and the Tigers fall back to .500 with a 10-10 record.
Nate Hewes tallied three hits including a triple to lead the Vikings.
David Borchardt blasted his second home run of the year in the bottom of the first to give Augustana a lead they would not relinquish.
Ben Heairet got the home-opening nod and recorded his second win of the year after scattering three hits over five innings of work. The senior lefthander fanned five Tigers and pitched four shutout innings after surrendering a run in the first inning.
Heairet walked the leadoff batter who was scored on a groundout to second base after being moved to third on a DWU double. The Vikings were quick to respond and take a lead they would not be handed over.
Hewes tripled to set up Borchardt for his one-out blast to right center. The Vikings and Tigers were held scoreless for the next three innings, but Augustana blew the game wide open in the fourth and fifth frames.
With two outs,
Tony Viger reached on an error by the DWU second baseman and the Vikings capitalized on the Tiger miscue.
Brian Duxbury then singled and proceeded to steal second moving two runners into scoring position.
Zach Dibble doubled to centerfield to plate both runners.
Jake Peterson reached on a bunt single and knocked in
Josh Benson who reached by way of a walk and advanced to third on Dibble's double. Hewes knocked in the remaining two runners and Augustana was in possession of a 7-1 lead after four innings.
Heairet gave up a single to the leadoff hitter but struck out the next batter and finished his day on a double play, but the Vikings weren't done on the offensive end.
Leading off with a double, Borchardt notched his second hit of the day. After stealing third, Borchardt was joined on the base paths by
Jack Goihl and Viger who both drew walks. The Tigers changed pitchers, but it couldn't stop the Vikings from pouncing on a bases-loaded situation.
Marcus O'Neill drove in two runs with a double to right center and Duxbury loaded the bases again by being hit by a pitch. Benson singled through the right side to drive in the 10th Viking run. Peterson lined out into a double play to halt the Augustana scoring.
After Cole Wenande reached on a single in the eighth, Tim Cusick sent a ball over the right field fence and closed the gap to 10-3. In the DWU ninth, Eric Nockleby walked and was moved to second on a Toby Kaplan single and each moved up a base on a passed ball. Sam Schumacher drove in the last run with a groundout to short.
The Vikings will conclude their series with the Tigers tomorrow with a 2 p.m. showdown.
