WAVERLY, Iowa - The Wartburg College baseball team opened its American Rivers Conference series versus Loras College on Sunday afternoon from Harms Stadium at Hertel Field, falling 7-6 in game one prior to a walk-off 12-11 victory in extra innings.

Down 11-10 heading to the bottom half of the 10th inning of game two, an RBI double from Parker Ridge tied the game at 11-11 prior to a walk-off single from Zachary Walton to grant the Knights a 12-11 win to salvage a split to open the series versus the Duhawks. 

Each team scored 18 runs on the day while Loras held an advantage on total hits, 30-28. Wartburg tallied a season-high 18 base hits during game two. Seniors Ridge and Ben DeKruyf each recorded five base hits through two games.

Loras 7, Wartburg 6
In the series opener, the Duhawks snuck by the Knights as a four-run fourth inning proved to be the difference. 

Each team scored a run in the first and third innings, setting the score at two apiece. A three-run homer by Loras' Luke Fennelly along with an RBI single gave the visitors a 6-2 lead.

Wartburg responded with three runs in the bottom half of inning four with a DeKruyf RBI single and a pair of unearned runs to come within one run at 6-5.

The Duhawks added on to their lead with a RBI triple in the sixth, which was answered again by DeKruyf on a RBI double, but they Knights came up one run short.

Loras' Ethan Peters allowed one run in the final three earning to earn the save.

Jacob Murray started on the mound and went just one inning before being relieved by Malcolm Newell. Newell took the loss, allowing five earned runs in five innings pitched.

DeKruyf led the offense with a 3-for-4 game at the plate. 

Wartburg 12, Loras 11 (10 inn.)
The Knights and Duhawks combined for 37 hits including nine doubles and three homers during game two. Loras notched 19 hits compared to Wartburg's season-high of 18.

Wartburg scored runs in each of the first six innings to earn a 10-6 lead. Up by two runs heading into the sixth, the Orange & Black gained its largest advantage of the day after DeKruyf reached on a fielder's choice with the bases loaded and a Duhawk error plated a pair of unearned runs. 

In the eighth, Loras tied the game, scoring four off four hits. They held the Knights scoreless in the eighth and ninth to force extras. 

An RBI single in the top of the 10th gave the visitors the 11-10 lead prior to Walton and the Knights' heroics.

Stephen Lawrence led off the 10th with a single through the right side, stole second base, and advanced to third on a Keaton Gray groundout. Lawrence then scored on a double from Ridge to tie the game, Max Goodhue was intentionally walked, then Walton singled through the left side to score Ridge for the game-winner.
 

View the game-winning hit from Zach Walton during @WartbrgBaseball's 12-11 walkoff victory in the 10th inning versus Loras!#GoKnights pic.twitter.com/kNONciv5jn

— Wartburg Athletics (@WartburgKnights) May 2, 2021

Ridge went 5-for-6 and Caleb Andrews was 3-for-4 at the dish. 

Aaron Eybers pitched the final two innings in relief to earn the win.

Up Next
Wartburg and Loras concludes its season series tomorrow afternoon, Monday, May 3, with a doubleheader starting at 3:30 p.m. in Waverly.
 
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