Norse Drop Extra Inning Affair to Wartburg in Conference Opener for Both Teams
March 28, 2008
In an epic clash between the co-defening Iowa Conference champions, it took 13 innings before this first game of the three-game series between Luther and Wartburg was decided here in Decorah this afternoon.
With the score tied 2-2, Wartburg strung together three consecutive singles in the top half of the 13th en route to the 3-2 victory.
Luther took the lead in the bottom of the second, thanks to a Wartburg error on a third strike by designated hitter Mark Webber, that if caught would have ended the inning. Riddle who had reached base with a walk, advanced to third on the play, and then scored on a passed ball.
Wartburg scored two runs in the top of the fifth thanks to one Luther error and a two-out triple by Jerrold Martijn, that was followed by by a bunt single by Danny Rose.
In the bottom half of the ninth and trailing 2-1, Riddle doubled down the left field line and advanced to third on a wild pitch by Wartburg reliever Aaron Saeugling. A single to left field by Weber drove in Riddle, sending the game into the extra frames.
Paul Pichelmann (0-1) was credited with the loss despite four solid innings of work in relief. Adam Kohls threw the first nine innings, allowed one earned run, four hits and struck out six.
The Norse bats produced eight hits. Jake Waddle was 2-for-4 from the lead-off position, while Alex Ross, Jeff Hiatt, Riddle, Matt Bruhn and Steve Beckman each had one hit.
The loss drops Luther's overall record to 5-4, 0-1 in the IIAC. Wartburg is now 7-9, 1-0 in league play.
These two teams will wrap up the three-game series tomorrow with two seven innings games. The first game of the twin bill will begin at 1:00 p.m. You can hear all of the action by audio web cast at http://kwlc.luther.edu/sports.
