Box Score
Augustana got a strong start from pitcher
Sam Gotham as the Vikings cruised to an 11-2 non-conference victory over Morningside Thursday afternoon at Ronken Field.
Augustana improved to 21-10 with the win as the Vikings won their seventh-straight game. Augie has now won 13 of its last 14 games and 15 of its last 17 outings.
The difference in Thursday's game was pitching. Gotham (2-0) tossed 5 2/3 innings of no-hit ball before issuing a 2-out single to Kell Kotlik. Morningside got its only runs of the game on the next hitter when Bill Meachem lined a 2-run double down the first base line.
However, the Vikings controlled the game up to that point as they took advantage of 19 Mustang walks and 2 hit batters to go along with 8 hits.
Augustana scored four runs in the second inning on 1 hit, 2 bases loaded walks, a fielder's choice and a throwing error.
The Vikings made it 5-0 in the fourth on an RBI ground out by
Deryk Marks. Augie upped the lead to 7-0 in the fifth.
Derek Hansen belted a solo homer to lead off the inning and Marks drew another bases loaded walk to score
Nate Hewes.
Augustana put the game away in the seventh as the Vikings tallied four more runs.
Ben Ludwigson delivered the only hit of the inning when he roped a 2-run ground rule double down the right field line.
Nate Baumann and Hansen each had 2 of Augustana's 8 hits. Baumann also swiped 4 bases. Marks and Ludwigson each had 2 RBI, while
Drew Heithoff stole 2 bases.
Gotham left the game after 6 innings. His final line included only 2 hits allowed, 2 runs and 6 strikeouts.
Ezra Campbell, Marks and
Bret Severtson each threw 1 scoreless inning of relief.
Augustana is off this weekend before returning to action on Tuesday, April 6, with an NSIC doubleheader at Wayne State. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.
