HOUSTON, Texas–Augustana baseball opened its season in Houston, Texas at Minute Maid Park and fell short against No. 19 Arkansas Tech, 3-2.

It was a low-scoring affair between the Vikings and the Wonder Boys. The Vikings scored first during the bottom of the third inning after a throwing error by ATU's third basemen saw Tony Lanier score a run. Lanier reached base on a single into right field and took second base on wild pitch. He was pushed to third base on a groundout before crossing home plate on the error.

Arkansas Tech was able to get on the board during the top of the fourth inning. 

Senior lefty Tanner Brown got the start on the mound for the Vikings. Through five innings, Brown threw 59 strikes and struck out six batters. Sophomore Caleb Kranz took over in the sixth inning, recording two strikeouts through three innings. In the ninth inning, the Vikings sent senior right-handed pitcher Thomas Bruss to the mound. Bruss logged one strikeout in the ninth.

During the bottom of the eighth inning, Jordan Barth was able to score on a wild pitch to break the 1-1 tie. Barth reached base on a triple earlier in the inning. 

The Wonder Boys plated two runs in the top of the ninth inning to take the contest with the 3-2 score.

Overall, the Vikings finished with seven hits: two from Barth, two from Lanier, one from sophomore infielder Tate Meiners, one from junior outfielder Carter Howell and one from senior infielder JT Mix.

Augustana starts the season 0-1 overall while Arkansas Tech moves to 3-0.

Up Next

The Vikings return to Minute Maid Park Saturday for a matchup with Arkansas Monticello. The first pitch is slated for 10 a.m.

–GoAugie.com–