WAVERLY, Iowa – Wartburg baseball started the weekend with a 2-1 win over Luther after an 11-inning battle between each team's pitching staff. The win moves Wartburg to 15-10 overall and 6-7 in American Rivers Conference play.
Game Summary
- Fourth Inning
- Cael Boehmer struck out four batters over the first four innings as the score is tied 0-0 headed into the bottom of the fourth
- Luther had six strikeouts over the first four innings
- With the bases loaded, Keaton Gray worked an RBI walk to score Carter Stubitz and the Knights take the first lead of the game at 1-0
- Fifth Inning
- Boehmer added three more strikeouts in the top half getting out of the jam to keep Wartburg ahead 1-0
- Sixth Inning
- Kyle Thompson struck out the side after coming in to relieve following five scoreless innings from Boehmer
- The Norse tallied 11 strikeouts over six innings as the Knights still hold the 1-0 lead
- Seventh Inning
- Luther knotted the score 1-1 in the top half of the seventh on an RBI fielder's choice
- Eighth Inning
- The Knights were able to get a runner on base but could not bring him around to score and the score stays tied 1-1 headed to the ninth
- Ninth Inning
- Caleb Andrews led off the bottom of the ninth reaching on a catcher's interference, but was unable to come around and score as we go to extras tied 1-1
- Eleventh Inning
- Andrews led off the eleventh with a hit by pitch followed by Wiley Sullivan reaching on an error
- Aiden Tobin walked the Knights off with a sacrifice bunt followed by an error by the Norse as Andrews came around to score and the Knights win 2-1 in extras
Top Performers
Coaches Comments
"I'm just so happy for our team," said head coach
Casey Klunder after today's 2-1 extra inning win. "They've worked hard and it hasn't come easy, so I'm just so proud of how they've all stuck to the plan and came away with the win."
Today's win started with the pitching staff and Klunder was happy with what he saw from all three guys tonight, "Cael was really good in his s tart today, even if he didn't go as long as he would've liked," "
Kyle Thompson has made as much growth in the last year as anyone in this program, really proud of what we've seen from him" continued Klunder. "
Max Hansen was lights out for us to end the game and he's been having a great senior season for us."
"Their pitcher was unbelievable today, hats off to their young pitching coach for the work they've done" said Klunder about Harrison Blum, who went eight full innings for the Norse with 12 strikeouts.
Game Notes
- 17 strikeouts as a team (Program record)
- 34 strikeouts between both teams
- Second extra-inning game this season
- All-time series moves to 87-72
- Knights are now 3-7 in last 10 matchups
- Boehmer has now eclisped 50 strikeouts in back-to-back seasons
- Fourth career win for Hansen on the mound
Next Time Out
The Knights will conclude the series against Luther at home tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.
