BISMARCK, N.D. – Making his first career start on the mound, University of Mary freshman
Austin Ell had a game to remember. The lefthander struck out ten Augustana hitters in the second game of the U-Mary home opener, one of the top totals during the school's NCAA era. Unfortunately Ell's strong performance couldn't prevent the Marauders from being swept as the Vikings sailed away with 6-1 and 10-0 wins.
Playing at Municipal Ballpark for the first time in nearly two years and for the first time since the $3 million renovation was completed last summer, the Marauders (3-21 overall, 1-9 Northern Sun) fell behind early. Vikings catcher Jack Goihl introduced himself to the crowd when he crushed a two-run home run in the first inning of the first game to provide a quick 2-0 lead for Augustana (15-10, 6-4). It was the first of three homers for Goihl in the doubleheader.
U-Mary starter
Nicholas Stobbe quickly settled down, retiring the next five hitters he faced before wildness and a couple defensive miscues helped the Vikings strike for four runs in the third inning. A Marcus O'Neill double scored the first run and a two-run Bryce Berg single pushed Augie out front 6-0.
The Marauders scored their lone run of the day in the bottom of the third.
Mason Schiff doubled down the right field line and scored when the Vikings misplayed an
Andrew Beyer bunt single.
Stobbe kept the Vikings off the scoreboard over the next three innings before
Kenny Slominski recorded the final three outs of the game.
Colton Fast made sure the Augustana advantage was never in jeopardy. In the seven inning complete game, he allowed five hits, one walk, no earned runs and struck out three.
Beyer led the Marauders offense with a 2-for-3 performance.
O'Neill went 4-for-4 for the Vikings, scoring twice and driving in a run. Jacob James added two hits and scored a run.
After six relief appearances, Ell received his first collegiate in the second game. The Delta, British Columbia, native struck out the opening batter of the game and proceeded to record two strikeouts in each of the next three innings.
Just as in the first game, Goihl once again proved to be the Marauders downfall. Following a two-out double by Jacob James in the third, Goihl homered to left on a ball that seemed to scrape the top of the wall.
Playing first base in the second game, Goihl extended the Vikings lead to 3-0 with a solo shot to center leading off the sixth inning.
Ell bounced back to pitch a scoreless seventh inning. He struck out one batter in the stanza to reach double figures and became just the sixth U-Mary player to record ten or more strikeouts in a game since Marauders baseball began NCAA Division II play in 2007. He allowed just five hits and one walk in a career-high seven innings.
The game got away from the Marauders in the eighth when the Vikings hit two home runs and crossed the plate seven times.
Drew Fueurbach led the Marauders offense with two hits in four plate appearances, including a double. Beyer was 1-for-2 with two walks and a steal.
Goihl finished the second game 2-for-4 with two home runs, three runs scored and three RBIs. Jacobs was 2-for-4 with two runs scored.
The Marauders continue their 10-game home stand on April 3-4 when the University of Sioux Falls visits. Friday's doubleheader starts at 1:30 p.m.
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