WAVERLY, Iowa-- Wartburg (19-10 overall, 10-3 IIAC) claimed the first game of the conference series 10-2 over Buena Vista (18-10, 9-4) Friday. Dubuque also won its game earlier in the day, so UD and the Knights are now tied for first in the standings.

The Orange and Black took the 7-0 lead after the first inning as 13 batters came to the plate in the frame. Some highlights included an RBI double from junior Blake Mahoney (Des Moines) and a two-run single by classmate Clay Henning (Plymouth, Wis.).

In the fourth, senior Jacob Thumann (DeWitt) drove in Henning from second on his single to right to make it 8-0.

The Beavers plated their first run of the day in the seventh before Wartburg tallied two in the bottom of the frame to make it 10-1. In the ninth, BV had a leadoff triple who then scored two batters later on a single up the middle for its final run.

Junior Eric Willis (Waverly) finished 2-3 and senior Taylor Gilson (Oelwein) pitched seven complete innings and fanned as many to earn the win.

Henning, Thumann and junior Cody Hyler (Des Moines) all finished with two RBIs.

The teams return to the field tomorrow for the doubleheader at 1 p.m.