WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Augustana baseball (12-3) continued their hot streak this afternoon with a non-conference victory over the Dutchmen of Union College (N.Y.). The Vikings came back from an early one-run deficit to shut down the Union offense for their sixth-consecutive win and 12^th overall.
 
Union's Jack Milone started the scoring in the top of the first inning when he singled to score lead-off hitter Thomas Parisi.
 
After a scoreless second inning, Augustana produced the biggest frame for either side with a three-run home half in the third. Matt Ozanic doubled Zachary Vrbancic home to start the Viking rally. Kyle Campbell continued the scoring with a sacrifice fly to plate Barker and Brett Benedetti's fielder's choice brought Alex Simon across.
 
Augustana also scored important insurance runs in the sixth, seventh, and eighth inning. Kyle Wise singled home Campbell while the latter also drove one in on a double to the gap. The Vikings' final run came across in the eighth frame on a Vrbancic single to score Alec McGinnis.
 
Union fought back with two RBI singles in the fourth and ninth innings by Kobe Mentzer and Sam Strazza, respectively. Despite the timely hitting, the Dutchmen failed to put a true comeback effort together and fell 6-3.
 
Campbell led the Augie offense with three hits in as many at bats. The Viking left-fielder also scored one run and drove in two others. Lead-off man Jacob Barker posted a solid day at the top of the lineup going 2-for-5 with a pair of runs scored.
 
On the mound, Bryce Luckey came on in the early stages after a hot Union start. Luckey settled into the game and tossed 4.2 innings in relief to earn the win. Luckey also posted 11 strikeouts with just one walk and one earned run.
 
Augustana baseball will be off for one day before taking on Williams for the penultimate matchup at the 2022 RussMatt Inviational. The Vikings and Ephs will battle on Thursday, Mar. 24 at 1:00 P.M.