WAUKESHA, Wis. – Augustana baseball (15-5, 1-2) concluded their road series at Carroll (9-12, 2-1) with a double-header earlier today. The Vikings took the first game of the day before Carroll completed the series win in the finale.
Augustana came back from an early two-run deficit in the first game of the day. Carroll started the scoring in the home half of the second inning when Trevor Benz came home on a passed ball and Tyler Love sacrificed Josh Kolb in.
The Vikings bounced back in the next inning, though, with a trio of runs to take the lead.
Jacob Barker led off the third with a solo shot home run.
Matt Ozanic then singled before
Kyle Campbell joined the fun with a two-run bomb to give Augie their first lead of the game.
Augustana held the advantage the remainder of the contest with insurance runs in the fifth and sixth innings coming via two more home runs by Ozanic and
Alec McGinnis.
Josh Wintroub picked up the win for Augustana and improved his record to 4-0. The senior pitcher threw seven full frames and struck out seven Pioneers while walking just two.
Augustana could not maintain their offensive momentum in the series finale. The host Pioneers outhit the Vikings 11-5 and won the second game of the day by a 7-3 score.
Both teams managed a run in the second and third innings as
Zachary Vrbancic singled
Griffen Pschigoda home and
Alec McGinnis delivered another RBI single. In the fourth inning, Barker hit his second home run of the day to give Augustana a 3-2 lead.
The Pioneers then grabbed the momentum and retook the lead on a Nick Angus solo blast and a Brad Vosters double. Carroll added insurance runs in the fifth, sixth, and seventh frames to win the series-clinching game 7-3.
Augustana starter
Bryce Luckey took the loss on the mound after throwing just three innings. Luckey struck out three opposing batters while giving up five hits and four walks.
The Vikings will return home for their next contest. Augustana will host Carthage on Tuesdsay, Apr. 5 for their first of five-straight home contests.
