LONGVIEW, Texas – The Wartburg College Knights (2-8 overall) were swept in today's doubleheader against the LeTourneau University YellowJackets (12-6), losing 2-1 in game one and 7-3 in game two.
 
In game one, the YellowJackets struck first with a one-run first inning, holding the 1-0 lead throughout the first five innings. Wartburg responded at the top of the sixth after freshman infielder Jarod Harris (Manchester) singled and advanced to third on an error and a passed ball before junior Manny Jeffery (Marion) singled to center field to bring Harris home.
 
The 1-1 tie wouldn't last long, as LeTourneau loaded the bases and scored off of a balk committed by junior pitcher Ben Milewski (Lake Villa) at the bottom of the sixth. With only one out in the inning, Milewski was able to escape any further scoring by striking out one YellowJacket and forcing a ground out to shortstop. LeTourneau retired the side in the seventh inning to secure the 2-1 victory.
 
In game two, Wartburg struck first at the top of the fourth with a three-run inning highlighted by a RBI single by sophomore infielder Parker Ridge (Marion) and a two-run RBI single by sophomore outfielder JoJo McNair (Joliet, Ill.). The YellowJackets tallied one run in the bottom of the fourth to bring the game to 3-1.
 
Wartburg held the 3-1 lead through the fifth and into the sixth before LeTourneau erupted with a five-run inning at the bottom of the sixth to take a 6-3 lead. A pitching change that saw sophomore Darren Kilpatrick (Fairfax) switched out for junior Tony Rex (Oelwein) led to a scoreless seventh inning before the YellowJackets added on one last run at the bottom of the eighth inning to win the game 7-3.
 
The two programs will wrap up the series tomorrow, returning to the diamond at 1 p.m.