GAME ONE | GAME TWO

BISMARCK, N.D. – Some solid pitching and power at the plate led the way on Tuesday in the Augustana baseball team's sweep of Mary at Municipal Ballpark. The Vikings jumped to 15-10 (6-4 NSIC) with the wins, while the Marauders dropped to 3-21 (1-9 NSIC) on the year.

The Vikings allowed just one run in the doubleheader and posted their fourth shutout victory of 2015 in game two, a 10-0 victory.

Game One

Augustana got a good performance on the mound and used a fast start at the plate to get the 6-1 win.

Marcus O'Neill led the way in the first game, going a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate, which tied a career high for hits. O'Neill also had an RBI and scored two runs.

Jack Goihl belted his sixth home run of the year with his lone hit, a two-run shot in the top of the first inning.

Colton Fast (3-1) was credited with his third win of the year. Fast gave up one unearned run in the outing on five hits and had three strike outs. It was the first complete game of the right-hander's collegiate career.

The Vikings took a 2-0 lead early after a two-run bomb by Goihl with one out in the top of the first inning. The senior's homer was the sixth of the year and brought in O'Neill, who led off the inning with a double to right center field.

A four-run inning in the top half of the third put this game out of reach. Augustana got its four runs on three hits, which was capped off by a two-out two-RBI single up the middle from Bryce Berg that pushed the Vikings' lead to six.

Mary finally got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third inning, getting its lone run of the entire series from Mason Schiff, who led off the inning with a double, scored on a groundout to third base from Trenten Hove. Schiff scored on the play after a throwing error by Alex Fink.

Fast took control from there, retiring the side in the both the bottom of the fourth and fifth innings. The senior from Elkhorn, Neb. dominated the latter, striking out the Marauders in order, his only three on the day.

Augustana threatened to score in the top of the seventh after back-to-back singles by O'Neill and Jacob James put runners on first and second with no outs and Goihl up. The power-hitting catcher then struck out looking and O'Neill was tagged out at home for two outs. Patrick Fiala ended the inning by grounding out to third base.

Mary only got one hit in the bottom half of the seventh inning, but couldn't do anything with it, giving the Vikings the win, their first as a true road team this year.

Game Two

Augustana pulled away from a close game late, scoring seven runs in the top of the eighth to sail to a 10-0 victory and get the sweep.

The Vikings had some power in their swings, crushing a season-high four homers in the game.

Goihl sparked the offensive eruption at the plate, hitting more two home runs, upping his total to three on the day. The senior also had three RBI and scored three runs.

Berg knocked his second homer of the season in his only at-bat.

Lucas Barry crushed his first collegiate homer of his career, a two-run blast to left center in the top of the eighth inning.

Ryan Helgeson (1-0) recorded his first win on the bump. Helgeson went two innings on the day, giving up no runs and just one hit. The freshman had no walks and struck out two.    

Neither team did anything in the first two innings, combining for just one hit.

Goihl broke open the scoreless game in the top of the third inning, sending a two-run blast over the left field wall with two outs to put the Vikings up.

The Robbinsdale, Minn. native struck again in the top of the sixth, this time hitting a solo shot to center field to make it 3-0 Augustana.

A seven-run inning at the plate by the Vikings in the top half of the eighth inning put this one to bed. Augustana got its seven runs on five, two of which were home runs by Berg and Barry. Kris Ashland started the big inning off with a two-RBI single to left field that scored Goihl and James.

The Vikings return to action on April 8 for a mid-week series against Minnesota State. Both games will be played at Karras Park Home of Ronken Field. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.