COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – The Augustana baseball team swept the opening series of the NSIC season with a 9-3 win over Southwest Minnesota State Monday. The series, which began Sunday in Omaha, Nebraska, concluded in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Monday.
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The Mustangs, 8-5 on the season and 0-3 in the NSIC, actually got on the scoreboard first in the first inning. But starting with a five-run second inning, it was all Augustana, who moved to 14-9, 3-0.
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A bunt single by
Sam Siegel got the scoring started as
Jack Hines crossed home plate.
Drey Dirksen then scored on
Luke Ballweg's fielder's choice.
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A single up the middle by
Jason Axelberg increased the lead to 3-1 as Siegel crossed home plate. The final two runs were scored on a single by
Trevor Winterstein and a groundout by
Ragan Pinnow.
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A double into left-center in the third inning gave Augustana a 6-1 lead in the third inning as Axelberg brought home Ballweg.
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Heads-up baserunning in the fifth inning made it 8-1.
Spencer Marenco blooped a single down the right-field line to score Axelberg and Ballweg. Axelberg started the at-bat at first base but scored on the bloop single after seeing the play wasn't being picked up at a fast enough pace.
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Augustana's final run of the game came courtesy of a Siegel single into right-center, scoring Hines.
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The Mustangs tagged a run on the scoreboard in the sixth and eighth innings, but the Vikings had done too much damage in the victory.
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Seth Miller picked up his second win of the season, pitching six innings and giving up just two runs while striking out five against zero walks. Gave Pilla pitched two innings, striking out two.
Drey Dirksen, who started the game at catcher, then took the mound for the ninth inning, striking out two batters.
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Of Augustana's 11 hits, four different batters recorded two. Ballweg, who was 1-for-3 with two walks, scored three runs.
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Up Next
Augustana's two-game set with Minot State has been moved to Thursday in Sioux City, Iowa. First pitch with the Beavers is slated for 11 a.m. on the campus of Briar Cliff.
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--GoAugie.com--