MOLINE, Ill. – Augustana's offense erupted early and often in the opener before Westminster salvaged the split in the nightcap, as the Vikings earned a 12–1 run-rule victory in Game One before falling 19–8 in Game Two on Tuesday at Swanson Stadium.
Game One: Augustana 12, Westminster 1 (7 Innings)
Augustana wasted no time taking control in the opener, scoring six runs in the first inning and never looking back in a 12–1 run-rule victory.
Ryan Coon ignited the rally with a leadoff double and later scored on an RBI single from Ryan Theile to open the scoring. Zach Quimby followed by reaching on an error that brought home two runs, and AJ Macak later drew an RBI walk to extend the lead. Christian Clark capped the explosive inning with an RBI single, giving Augustana a commanding 6–0 advantage after one inning.
The Vikings added another run in the second inning when Coon singled, stole second, and later scored on a Westminster fielding error, pushing the lead to 7–0.
Augustana delivered the knockout blow in the fifth inning, plating five more runs on five hits. Clark delivered a two-run single to score Macak and Quimby, and Riley Hendren followed with a two-run home run to left field. Kaileb Hackman added a solo home run later in the inning to cap the scoring and extend the lead to 12–0.
The Vikings finished with 12 runs on 13 hits, with Hendren, Coon, Hackman, Macak, and Clark each recording multiple hits. Clark drove in three runs, while Hendren and Quimby added two RBI apiece. Hackman and Hendren both homered as part of the dominant offensive performance.
On the mound, Blake Nettleton was outstanding in his start, tossing four no-hit innings while striking out seven. Sebastian Reyes allowed one run over two innings in relief, and Zach Bachochin closed the game with a scoreless seventh inning to secure the run-rule victory.
Game Two: Augustana 8, Westminster 19
Augustana's offense struck early once again in Game Two, highlighted by a five-run third inning and a home run from Hendren, but Westminster used multiple late offensive rallies to claim the nightcap.
The Vikings got on the board in the first inning when Bergin delivered an RBI single to score Coon, cutting into Westminster's early lead.
Augustana continued to swing aggressively in the second inning. Macak reached base and later scored when Hendren launched a two-run home run to left field, trimming the deficit to 5–3.
The Vikings seized momentum in the third inning with their most productive frame of the game. Hackman and Bergin reached base before Shickel scored on a balk. Sosnowski then delivered an RBI triple to bring home another run, and Clark followed with a triple of his own to score Sosnowski. Hendren capped the rally with an RBI single, giving Augustana an 8–5 lead.
Westminster responded with a seven-run fifth inning to erase Augustana's lead and move in front 12–8. The Blue Jays added single runs in the sixth and multiple insurance runs in the ninth to pull away, while the Viking offense was unable to add to its early total.
Augustana finished with eight runs on eight hits in the contest. Hendren led the offense with two hits and three RBI, while Bergin added two hits. Sosnowski and Clark each recorded RBI triples during the Vikings' five-run third inning.
The Vikings move to 3–1 on the season and will return to action this weekend at Swanson Stadium, hosting Luther for a three-game series beginning with a doubleheader on Friday, Feb. 27. First pitch for Game One is scheduled for 2 p.m.
