WAVERLY, Iowa-- The No. 10 Wartburg baseball team (19-2 overall, 9-1 IIAC) took both games of the doubleheader against Luther Tuesday. The Knights won the opener 5-0 and then claimed the nightcap, 8-6.

In the first game, the Orange and Black took the 2-0 lead in the third on a fielder's choice and an RBI single from senior DJ Utley (Cedar Rapids). Wartburg doubled its lead in the next frame as senior Jackson Litterer (Waverly) drove in classmate Blake Wilson (Bettendorf) and sophomore Jake Thumann (DeWitt) on his two-run single to centerfield.

The Norse looked to score in the fourth, but the lead runner was thrown out at home on a bunt attempt and then the Knights turned a double play to end the inning.

Thumann tallied the final run of the game with his solo homerun to centerfield.

Litterer went 4-4 at the plate in the first game and Thumann went 2-3 with two runs scored.

In the finale, Luther took the early 2-0 lead with a run in the first and second innings.

Litterer broke up the no-hitter with his leadoff double in the fourth. The Orange and Black evened the score as Litterer scored on a throwing error and junior Tyler Willis (Waverly) scored on junior Milton Croes' (Noord, Aruba) double down the left field line.

Wartburg took the 4-2 lead in the next frame as Thumann scored on sophomore Ty Mougin (Walford) double who later crossed the plate on Willis' sacrifice fly.

The Norse answered back in the seventh with three runs, which included a two-run single. Pinch runner freshman Blake Mahoney (Des Moines) scored on Willis' single to centerfield to knot the score at five all in the seventh.

The Knights compiled a three-run rally of their own in the eighth. Junior Robbie Anstoetter (Farley) brought in Thumann on his single to centerfield, Willis tallied his third RBI of the game on a bases loaded walk and junior Ryan Kemp (Keokuk) drove in Anstoetter on his groundout.

Thumann went 2-3 and Mougin went 2-4.

KWWL highlights