BOLIVAR, Mo. – The Augustana baseball team clinched a series victory as it topped Southwest Baptist in a doubleheader sweep on Saturday. The Vikings won game one 9-3 before shutting out the Bearcats 13-0 in the nightcap.
 
The series' finale is slated for noon on Sunday.
 
Game One
The Vikings plated two runs in the second inning and added a third run in the third to get the scoring started. Will Olson scored on a Ford Schroeder groundout while Ryan Nickel crossed home plate on a passed ball. In the third inning Jordan Barth hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield scoring Carter Howell.
 
After the Bearcats scored two runs in the third inning, it was all Augustana as the Vikings tallied two runs in the sixth inning and plated four more runs in the seventh. In the sixth it was an Olson homerun to left field while Sam Baier did the same in the seventh inning, both solo shots. Also in the seventh, Barth singled into center field, again scoring Howell. Jaxon Rosencranz concluded the Vikings' scoring with a two-run home run, scoring Barth.
 
On the mound, Tanner Brown picked up the victory as he scattered six hits over six innings, giving up three runs. He struck out six. Garrett Payne came on in the seventh to close out the contest.
 
Game Two
There was never a doubt in game two as Seth Miller went seven innings, striking out eight and giving up just five hits as the Vikings scored 13 runs.
 
Ryan Nickel got the scoring started on an attempted double steal in the second inning when he crossed home plate for the early 1-0 lead. In the third, Jaxon Rosencraz doubled into left field scoring Riley Johnson. Jordan Barth stepped on home plate on a sacrifice fly from Will Olson while Rosencranz scored on a passed ball to conclude the third inning with a 4-0 lead.
 
Nickel then scored in the fourth on a fielder's choice before the floodgates opened in the fifth with four runs. Rosencranz continued his strong day with a homer to left center while Nickel drove in Drey Dirksen on a single into left field. Bjorn Hanson then scored on a Sam Baier sac fly with Nickle tallying the final run of the inning on a JT Mix single.
 
Augustana then tacked on two more runs in the seventh inning when Aiden Ladd and Nickel scored for the final 13-0 victory.
 
Rosencranz finished the game 3-for-4 with two RBI while Nickel was 3-for-3 with four runs scored. In relief of Miller, Caleb Kranz, Michael Jensen and Jasper Elfrink all saw time on the mound for the Vikings.