SIOUX FALLS, SD –
Travis Stevens belted his first home run of the season and recorded a team-high four hits but the University of Mary sophomore's success at the plate still left the Marauders short against homestanding Augustana University. The Vikings defeated the Marauders 6-2 in the opener and Augie rallied for a 6-3 win in game two to complete the weekend sweep of the four-game Northern Sun set.
The Vikings rode a pair of multi-run innings early in the opening game to a 6-2 win. Both teams scratched out five hits but Augie held a 4-1 lead in extra base hits over Mary, including a pair of home runs.
Lucas Barry opened the scoring with a run scoring double in the second inning. The Augie third baseman pushed the lead to 2-0 after two innings when he scored on a ground out. The Vikings added three runs in the third for a 5-0 lead. Kris Ashland's run-scoring double was followed by a 2-run home run from Tyler Field.
Down 6-0 after five, the Marauders cut into their deficit in the sixth.
Seth Siverson and
Andrew Beyer opened the inning with back-to-back singles. After a sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position, a Darias Barlas grounder to third scored Siverson.
Lane Huck followed with a run-scoring double to close the gap to 6-2, Mary's last run of the game.
Stevens finished 2-for-3 in the game. Beyer, Barlas and Siverson also added hits.
Jake Johnson suffered the loss. The junior allowed just five hits but walked three. He struck out four but gave up six runs.
Ashland was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBIs. Barry added two hits and Field drove in a pair of runs.
Lincoln Voss earned the complete game win, striking out eight hitters while allowing just two runs and five hits.
Mary took its first lead of the weekend in the home half of game two. With two outs, Barlas reached on a single up the middle. He took second on a passed ball and scored on Huck's single to right. The lead lasted only until the second inning when the Vikings tied the game 1-1.
With the Marauders
Isaac Saad and the Vikings Ryan Hamilton locked in a pitching duel, Mary moved back in front in the fifth. After
Clay Bassingthwaite opened with a walk and Siverson singled, Beyer doubled home a run down the left field line to push Mary ahead 2-1. With two runners in scoring position and just one out, the Marauders were unable to expand their lead.
After seeing 13 straight batters retired by Saad in just his second collegiate start, the Vikings broke through with the tying run in the sixth inning. Augie gained he seventh and eighth innings. A Marauders miscue with one out in the seventh lead to a pair of unearned runs.
Stevens led off the ninth with a home run to pull the Marauders within 6-3. It was as close at Mary would get as reliever Collin Lovell retired the next three hitters, the last two on strikeouts.
For the second straight game, Stevens had two hits, finishing 2-for-4 with home run. RBI and run scored. Five other Marauders also had hits.
Saad went 6.1 innings for Mary. He allowed six hits, three runs (two earned) and no walks while striking out one.
Ryan Hamilton picked up the win for Augie. He struck out 10 hitters, allowed six hits, two runs (one earned) and two walks. Collin Lovell earned the save.
Sam Baier led Augie with three RBIs and tied for the team high with two hits. Lucas, Field and Riley Johnson all had a pair of hits.
The Marauders home opener against Minnesota Duluth is up next for Mary. The NSIC doubleheader starts at 1:30 pm.
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