Box Score  MOLINE, Ill. – Augustana scored two runs in the seventh inning Friday night and held on for a 3-1 win over Wheaton at in the CCIW opener for both teams. The game was also the home opener for the Vikings, who improved to 9-4 on the year. The Thunder fell to 10-5.
 
Both teams went with their aces on the mound and despite each having to pitch around some trouble early, Wheaton's Evan Rahn and Augustana's Seth Davis (Mullen HS, Aurora, Colo.) were still going strong as the game went to the seventh inning tied 1-1.
 
Davis set the Thunder down in order in the top of the frame and junior Jacques Camalick (Hinsdale Central, Burr Ridge, Ill.) got the Vikings started with a leadoff single in the bottom half. After sophomore Brandon Tidaback (Coal City HS, Morris, Ill.) ran for Camalick, classmate Trace Gingerich (Sherrard HS, Sherrard, Ill.) laid down a sacrifice attempt on which Wheaton catcher Taylor Howe pounced. However, Howe's throw to second got away and the runners eventually ended up at second and third. One out later, senior Jacob Van Duyne (Wilmington HS, Wilmington, Ill.) grounded to short but the throw home got by Howe, allowing Tidaback to score the go-ahead run. Gingerich scored an insurance run when Wheaton couldn't handle a Brandon Jasper (Central HS, DeWitt, Iowa) infield grounder.
 
Davis retired the Thunder in the eighth before leaving in favor of sophomore Zach Morgenstern (Peoria Notre Dame HS, East Peoria, Ill.) to start the ninth. Morgenstern issued a leadoff walk and had another batter reach on an error, but induced a 5-4-3 double-play grounder and a fielder's choice grounder to short to come away unscathed and earn Augustana's first save of the season.
 
Both teams scored a run early. The Vikings had four hits in the bottom of the first, but came away with just a single run, stranding two runners in addition to having one cut down attempting to steal. Grant Stewart's (Sterling HS, Sterling, Ill.) sacrifice fly to left scored Jasper, who had doubled to left.
 
Wheaton got that run right back in the top of the second. After retiring the first two batters, Davis fell behind Kyle Mellinger before giving up a double to left center. Jake Portugal followed with a flare to left field that plated Mellinger with the tying run. Davis walked two more in the inning but left the bags full, avoided further damage.
 
Both pitchers settled in from that point on. Wheaton's best threat came in the third inning, when it left runners on second and third. The Vikings left two stranded in the sixth.
 
Davis improved to 2-0 on the year. He allowed seven hits in eight innings, walking three and fanning eight. Rahn was the tough-luck loser, falling for the first time in five decisions. He went the full eight innings and also surrendered seven hits while walking one, hitting one and fanning seven.
 
Jasper led the Augustana offense, going 2-for-4 with a run scored and one driven in.
 
Coach Greg Wallace's club will visit Wheaton for a doubleheader on Saturday, March 29. First pitch for the opener is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.