MOLINE, Ill. – Augustana baseball (27-9) survived a late charge from the Simpson Storm (18-18) in the Vikings' home finale. Augie scored in each of the first three innings and Simpson managed three runs in the final frame.
 
Augustana started their offense in the first inning with a Kyle Campbell sacrifice fly to bring Jacob Barker home and a wild pitch that plated Alex Simon. Barker came through again in the second inning with a sac fly of his own to extend the Augie lead by a run. The Vikings' lead grew even wider in the third inning with an RBI single by Jaden Dellitt and an RBI groundout by Alec McGinnis.
 
The Storm got on the board in the top of the fourth inning. Kaleb Bauer delivered a single to right field. Kaden Dewey followed with an RBI groundout before Bauer came home on a Bennett Waldstrom RBI.
 
Leading 5-3, Augustana built their lead back up in the seventh inning. McGinnis slapped a single through the left side to score Campbell. Zachary Vrbancic continued the scoring with an RBI walk before Barker hit his second sac fly of the contest.
 
Simpson did their best to rally in the top of the ninth inning. Matthew Marquez doubled to the gap to drive two runs in. Pinch hitter Jake Havran reached on an infield single to score Brennen Lemke. The Storm could not brew any more momentum, though, as the Vikings held on to win 8-6.
 
Brett Benedetti went 2-for-3 on the night and was the lone Viking with multiple hits. Kyle Campbell and Alec McGinnis each scored a team-high two runs while Jacob Barker's two RBI led the Vikings in slugging.
 
Augustana started Bryce Luckey earned the win on the mound going 3.2 innings with three strikeouts and two walks. Jacob Reusch was one of three relief pitchers to see time on the bump and had a solid 4.1 innings with six strikeouts.
 
Augustana will conclude their regular season schedule this weekend with three conference road games. The Vikings will battle Carthage in Kenosha, Wis. on Friday, May 6 and take on Wheaton in a double-header on Saturday, May 7.