ELKHORN, Neb.--Augustana baseball brought down Minot State 4-3 in game one of the Thursday night doubleheader before falling in game two to split the NSIC series. The Vikings move to 15-10 overall and 4-1 in NSIC play. The Beavers are 13-4 overall and 4-1 in the loop. 

Game One: Augustana 4, Minot State 3
A close game saw the Vikings emerge victorious in the first matchup of the series. The Beavers were the first to score in the third inning after a solo shot to left field. Augustana was able to gain a 2-1 lead in the fourth after Ragan Pinnow scored Nick Banowetz with a sacrifice fly to tie it up, then Sam Siegel plated Drey Dirksen on a double down the right field line. 

Minot State claimed a 3-2 lead shortly after when a triple sent two runners in to score in the fifth frame. 

In the bottom of the inning, Augustana notched the game up 3-3 following a Nick Banowetz single that allowed Parker Mooney to run home. The Vikings captured the victory in the sixth inning when Jack Hines scored Trey Walker on a single up the middle.

Banowetz went 2-for-3 at the plate with one RBI and a run while Pinnow went 1-for-2 and added an RBI.

On the mound, Caleb Kranz got the start and pitched 4.2 innings, striking out five batters. Ashton Michek took over for Kranz and spent 1.1 innings on the mound, logging one strikeout. Adam Diedrich entered the game and tossed one inning, striking out two of the four batters that he faced for the save.

Game Two: Minot State 9, Augustana 5
It was Augustana striking first this time, scoring a run in the first inning to take an early lead after Banowetz crossed the plate. Minot State was quick to fire back, claiming a 3-1 lead in the second frame. A wild pitch scored a tying run and a home run scored two more runs for the Beavers.

The lead was increased by a run in the third inning after a Beaver stole home, but Dirksen's double down the left field line plated Pinnow and Banowetz to chop at Minot State's advantage and bring the score to 4-3. 

Minot State answered with two more runs in the fifth inning, making the score 6-3. Another double from Dirksen brought Pinnow home in the bottom of the inning. 

Dirksen added a solo home run to the sheet in the seventh inning, dropping Minot State's lead to a single run. The lone run would be Augustana's last of the game as the Beavers plated three more runs to end the game with a four-run lead. 

At the plate, Dirksen went 3-for-5 with four RBI, two doubles and a home run. Pinnow and Banowetz contributed two runs apiece. 

Ethan Cole was Augustana's starting pitcher and tossed 4.1 innings, recording four strikeouts. Jason Fink entered the game and pitched three innings. Ryan Clementi also spent time on the mound for Augustana, striking out two batters in 1.2 innings.

Up Next
Augustana matches up against St. Cloud State Friday to begin a three-game NSIC series. The Vikings are scheduled to play a single game on Friday night at 7 p.m. at Doc Ross Field in Council Bluffs, Iowa. On Saturday, AU is set for a doubleheader against SCSU with game one starting at 3:30 p.m.

–GoAugie.com–