MARSHALL, Minn. - Augustana University (35-15, 26-8 NSIC) split their final two regular season games with Southwest Minnesota State (9-34, 7-21 NSIC) on Saturday as they defeated the Mustangs 15-4 in game one but fell in game two 5-4.

GAME ONE

After sweeping the Mustangs the day before in Sioux Falls, they had to travel to Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday to conclude their home-and-home series with SMSU. The Viking fell behind early in game one when Tanner Picht hit a home run to center field.

After not scoring in the first two innings, Augustana exploded to score all 15 of their runs in just two innings. Trailing by a run with Patrick O'Donnell and Alex Fink on the base paths, Patrick Fiala stepped up to the plate. After seeing just one pitch Fiala grabbed the lead for Augustana with a 3-run shot over the left field fence. Just a few batters later Lucas Wilber stepped up to clear the bases with his own 3-run home run to left center to make it 6-1 Vikings.

In the fifth inning the scoring was more spread around as six singles and a sac fly led to nine Viking runs. Wilber, O'Donnell and Fiala all singled to the left side with Wilber and Fiala each driving in one while O'Donnell drove in two. Tyler Field the singled to second base scoring O'Donnell. Field would advance to second on a throwing error that also helped Fink score. Lucas Barry then singled to the right side scoring Fiala. The Vikings final two runs of the game were then driven in by Alex Beals and Wilber.

Southwest Minnesota State was able to score four runs in the game with three of them coming on home runs from Tanner Picht but it would not be enough to overcome the Vikings offense power as Augustana took game one 15-4

Pitchers of Record

Win - Colton Vien (2-5): 5 IP, 5 hits, 2 runs, 2 earned runs, 2 walks, 5 strikeouts

Loss - Connor Johnson (0-5): 4.1 IP, 11 hits, 9 runs, 9 earned runs, 3 walks, 3 strikeouts  

Viking Notables

• O'Donnell was a perfect 4-for-4 in the game

• Wilber led the team in RBIs with 5

• Augustana left 9 runners on base

• O'Donnell, Fiala and Beals each hit a double

• Fiala and Wilber each hit 3-run home runs

• Wilber earned a sac fly

• Jones Lovin pitched one inning giving up one run while striking out two

• Field pitched the final inning giving up a hit, a run, 2 walks and striking out two hitters

GAME TWO

Augustana struggled on the offensive end in game two as they were held scoreless until the fifth inning. Southwest Minnesota State jumped out to an early lead scoring a run in the first inning and two more in the third.

Wilber got the Vikings on the board in the top of the fifth when he singled to center field scoring Barry who walked to lead off the inning. Their second run came just one batter later when Justin Warne reached on fielders choice that scored TJ Davis. SMSU matched the Vikings two runs in the bottom of the inning making it 5-2 after five.

In the seventh inning Field cut into the Mustang lead when he crushed a pitch to right center field  to make it 5-3.

The Vikings tried to rally in the ninth inning when they scored their fourth run of the game on a Warne ground out that scored Dylan Platt. With runners on the corners though and trailing by a run Augustana was not able to tie the game, falling to SMSU 5-4 in their final regular season game of the season.

Pitchers of Record

Win - Travis McGlauflin (2-2): 4.2 IP, 5 hits, 2 runs, 2 earned runs, 5 walks, 0 strikeouts

Loss - Dalton Homeier (1-1): 2 IP, 5 hits, 3 runs, 2 earned runs, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts

Save - Justin Clark (1): 0.1 IP, 0 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 1 strikeout

Viking Notables

• The Vikings lost their first regular season final since 2012

• O'Donnell's 21-game hitting streak was snapped

• Augustana left 8 runners on base

• Warne hit his 15th double of the season

• Field hit his sixth home run of the year

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