SIOUX FALLS, S.D.-- The Augustana baseball team (14-5, 7-0 NSIC) stretched their win streak to seven games on Saturday after defeating U-Mary (7-11, 4-3 NSIC) in the first two games of a four-game series 12-1 and 4-3.

Game One:

In game one, Augustana saw Max Steffens throw his second consecutive complete game for his second win of the year in a 12-1 victory. Steffens went seven innings while allowing just one earned run. The junior now holds a 1.45 ERA on the young season with just four walks in 37.1 innings pitched. 

At the plate, Augustana's lead in the early innings came from a pair of home runs by Will Olson and Michael Svozil. The home run by Svozil is just his second in his Viking career. The Vikings put up a barrage of runs in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings, combining for nine runs in the three-inning stretch with seven different Vikings chipping in RBI. Aiden Ladd, Svozil, and Olson each put up two RBI in the win. 

Game Two: 

The second game of the series proved to be tense much of the afternoon with early dominance by each team's pitching staff. Tanner Brown went 6.1 innings for Augustana, giving up just two earned runs while striking out six. The Vikings took the first lead of the game in the bottom of the fourth on a Sam Baier double to right field that scored Jordan Barth from first base. The Marauders tied the game back up in the top of the fifth on a double play that scored a runner from third base. 

U-Mary scored the next two runs of the game to stretch the lead to 3-1 going into the bottom of the eighth inning. Augustana started off the half-inning with Riley Johnson stretching his hitting streak to 15 games in his final at bat of the game when he knocked a triple to center field to lead off. Johnson promptly scored on an infield single by Svozil. Ryan Nickel holds a 19 game hitting streak of his own, and reached base on a single the following at bat, while Baier walked to load the bases with one out. 

Olson provided timely hitting with the bases loaded as he blasted a two-RBI single straight back to the pitcher that rolled up the mound and launched into the air and through the middle of the infield. The runs proved to be all the Vikings needed as Michael Brandt came in with one runner on in the ninth to shut the door and earn his second save of the season. Thomas Bruss was awarded the win after pitching 1.2 innings while surrendering just one earned run.

Next Up:

Augustana gets right back in action tomorrow as they face off with U-Mary for the back half of their four-game series with the Marauders. The first game of the day starts at noon at Karras Park the home of Ronken Field.