GAME ONE | GAME TWO

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Some strong pitching performances by third-ranked St. Cloud State were too much for the Augustana baseball team on Saturday, who dropped a pair of games to the Huskies, each by a score of 6-1 at Karras Park Home of Ronken Field. The Vikings' record slipped to 12-9 (3-3 NSIC) with the losses, while SCSU remained unbeaten at 22-0 (6-0 NSIC).

Augustana combined for 13 hits in the doubleheader, snapping a three-game streak of recording at least 10 hits in a game.

Game One

The Vikings couldn't overcome a four-run inning by St. Cloud State in the top of the third inning, falling 6-1.

Ryan Hamilton (2-2) tossed his third straight complete game of the year on the hill for Augustana. Hamilton went all seven innings, giving up six runs, which tied a season high. The Spearfish native also allowed eight hits, but did have seven strikeouts on the day.

The Huskies' Garrett Harrison (3-0) picked up the win, upping his win total to three on the season. Harrison allowed just one run on six hits.

Jacob James kept his hot streak at the plate going, finishing 2 for 3, the lone Viking with multiple hits in the game.

Alex Beals had Augustana's only RBI in the loss, part of a 1-for-3 performance at the plate.

SCSU jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top half of the second, scoring the contest's first run after Zak Hoffman singled through the right side to score the runner on third base.

A four-run inning at the plate in the top of the third inning by St. Cloud State proved to be the difference. The deciding inning for the Huskies was capped off by a RBI single that got through the left side of the infield by Kyle Lieser.

The Vikings got their only run of the ballgame in the bottom of the fourth, scoring on a Beals single that scored Jack Goihl from third base, who led off the inning with a single of his own.

Augustana only could muster up two more hits the rest of the game, never really challenging late.

Game Two

Multiple runs by SCSU at the plate in the sixth and seventh innings turned out to be the key in the Vikings' loss in game two.

Lincoln Voss (1-1) picked up his first loss of the year. Voss gave up six earned runs on eight hits. The sophomore had two strikeouts in the game.

James again led Augustana at the plate, going 3 for 4, a team-high in hits.

Kris Ashland, making a start at designated hitter, went 2 for 4.

Patrick Fiala had the Vikings' lone RBI in the loss, part of a 1-for-4 game.

St. Cloud State got off the fast start, scoring in the top of the first inning after Eric Loxtercamp scored on a groundout to second base by Reese Gregory to make it 1-0.

Augustana countered with a run of its own in the bottom half of the first with a Fiala double to right center that scored James from second base. Goihl also tried to score on the play from first, but was thrown out at home on an 8-4-2 relay by the Huskies.

Voss was dialed after the first, allowing just three hits over the next four innings against the SCSU batters.

In the top of the sixth inning, St. Cloud State made its move, scoring three runs on three hits, highlighted by a two-run home run down the right field line Beau Fandel to make it 4-1.

The Huskies tacked on two more runs in the top half of the seventh. Brandon Arnold capped of the two-run inning with a play you don't see every day: stealing home against Colton Fast, who was in for relief of Voss.

The Vikings gave themselves a chance in the bottom of the ninth, loading the bases with two outs after Goihl, Alex Fink, and Ashland got on with TJ Davis up at the plate. Davis, looking to keep the rally going, came up short, flying out to right field for the third and final out of the game.

Augustana is back in action with another doubleheader on Sunday against SCSU. First pitch for game one is set for 12 p.m.