Box Score
WATERLOO, Iowa-- The No. 13 Wartburg baseball team (32-13 overall) compiled a rally in its last at-bats but fell 4-3 to Anderson in the first game of the NCAA Tournament Wednesday.



Sophomore Mike Brown (Bettendorf) started things off with his single to centerfield but was retired on classmate's Ty Mougin (Walford) fielder's choice. Senior Jackson Litterer (Waverly) drew a walk and junior Tyler Willis (Waverly) was hit to load the bases with two outs. The Ravens changed pitchers and junior Ryan Kemp (Keokuk) hit a two-run single to right centerfield to make the score 4-3 with runners on the corners. Unfortunately, the next batter struck out to end the rally and give the win to Anderson.

Each team tallied one run in the third and the Ravens took the lead in the fifth with two runs and plated their final run in the sixth.

"We couldn't come up with the key hit tonight," said head coach Joel Holst. "We played some solid defense but it's frustrating when you aren't able to support your pitching."

Sophomore Jake Thumann (DeWitt) made some clutch diving catches in right field which could have extended the scoring margin had he not made those plays. "They hit extremely well and we just couldn't get that key hit that coach is always talking about," he said. "I love the way we fight all the time, as we did in the ninth."

The Knights will face No. 7 UW-Stevens Point Thursday at 3:30 p.m.

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