WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – The Augustana Vikings baseball team continued its strong spring break showing on Sunday, defeating the two-time defending NESCAC champion Middlebury Panthers 9–2 in matchup at the RussMatt Invitational. Augustana broke things open with a six-run fifth inning.

The Vikings wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, taking the lead in the opening inning. Riley Hendren reached base and later came around to score, giving Augustana a 1–0 lead and early momentum. After a scoreless second, Augustana added on again in the third inning to extend the advantage. AJ Macak stepped to the plate and drove a ball out of the yard, pushing the lead to 2–0 while continuing his strong weekend at the plate.

Middlebury answered in the fourth inning with a two-run frame to even the score at 2–2, but that would be the only damage against the Viking pitching staff as Augustana quickly responded. The offense delivered their biggest inning of the game in the fifth, turning a tie game into a comfortable lead. Kaileb Hackman worked a leadoff walk to start the rally before Charlie Bergin sparked the offense with a triple to bring home the go-ahead run. Ryan Coon followed by ripping a two-run double to extend the lead, and moments later Zach Quimby broke the game open with a three-run home run to give the Vikings an 8–2 advantage and full control of the contest.

Augustana added one more run in the ninth inning to cap the scoring and provide insurance down the stretch. Hendren reached base once again and later came around to score, putting the finishing touches on the 9–2 victory.

On the mound, Blake Nettleton delivered one of his strongest outings of the season and set the tone for the entire game. The right-hander worked eight innings, throwing 112 pitches while striking out 11 and allowing just two runs to earn the win, while Jack Buckalew closed out the ninth inning to secure the victory.

Bergin led the offense with three hits, while Macak added two, including a home run, as Augustana continued to apply pressure throughout the lineup. Quimby and Coon each drove in three runs as the Vikings totaled 12 hits in the win.

With the victory, Augustana improves to 12–4 on the season. The Vikings wrap up their spring break at the RussMatt Invitational on Monday, March 23, when they face Carleton with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m.