DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Wartburg College Knights (11-24 overall, 8-14 A-R-C) dropped the first of their three-game series to the Loras College Duhawks (15-17, 9-13) 6-5 in 10 innings on Friday night.
 
Wartburg took the first lead of the day after scoring two at the top of the third inning, highlighted by a RBI double from junior Tyler Nunemaker (Ely) and a RBI single by sophomore Brett Kelting (Wheatland). The 2-0 lead lasted until the bottom of the sixth inning before Loras answered with four runs to take the 4-2 lead.
 
The Orange and Black responded by plating two runs at the top of the seventh inning off of a two-run home run by junior Tyler Hovick (Roland) to tie the game at four apiece. Wartburg regained its lead after sophomore JoJo McNair (Joliet, Ill.) connected on his first career home run at the top of the eighth inning to give Wartburg a 5-4 lead.
 
Loras responded by scoring a run at the bottom of the eighth inning to tie up the game before taking the matchup into extra innings tied at five apiece. The Orange and Black suffered a scoreless 10^th inning before surrendering a walk-off double to center field to end the game, 6-5.
 
Sophomore pitcher Dylan Gotto (Peosta) pitched 7.1 innings and retired three batters in the loss. Hovick finished 2-5 at the plate with a two-run home run, while McNair finished 1-6 with a solo home run. Wartburg out-hit the Duhawks 13-10, but left 12 men on base compared to Loras' seven.
 
The two teams will return to the diamond tomorrow for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.