DULUTH, Minn. – With temperatures hovering in the low 40s, the Vikings opened the 2018 NCAA Regional against Concordia University-Chicago at Wade Stadium. After falling behind early, the Vikings found their groove and jumped out in front. BLC proved they can play at this level and controlled most of the game, but they lost in the bottom of the 9th after a wild pitch and throwing error scored two runs.
 
Down 3-0 after three innings, the Vikings put together a four-run fourth inning to capture the lead. Diego Martiarena started things off with a single and then advanced to third with a Nick Caldeen double. Martiarena scored on the throw. Caldeen maneuvered his way to third base and then scored on a fielder's choice RBI from John Brown. The Vikings then took the lead on a two-run homer from UMAC Rookie of the Year, Ross Beumer. The Vikings added one more run in the fifth and then widened their lead to 8-3 with three more runs in the seventh.
 
The Cougars closed the gap in bottom of the seventh, scoring two runs to make the score 8-5 in favor of the Vikings. Cody Leitner finished out the bottom half for BLC, pitching seven innings and giving up 10 hits and five runs with two strikeouts.
 
In the top of the eighth, Grant Becher singled and then advanced to third with a double from Mylo Hommes. Becher and Hommes both went on to score, giving the Vikings a 10-5 lead. With Alex Babcock now on the mound for BLC, the Cougars threatened again, closing the gap to 10-8 before the Vikings were able to get out of the inning.
 
Once more the Vikings offense came through, scoring two runs, and gave them and 12-8 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth. The Cougars needed a rally and they got it. A couple of singles and a walk loaded the bases and forced the Vikings to make a pitching change. Logan Nissen replaced Babcock and the Cougars scored three runs before Nissen recorded a strikeout for the first out of the inning. The Vikings intentionally walked the next batter which loaded the bases once again. Nissen then got another strikeout which put the Vikings one out away from the win, but a wild pitch to the next batter, followed by a throwing error, scored two runs to end the game with a final score of 13-12.
 
Up Next: The Vikings await the loser of North Central (Ill.) vs. Dubuque. The game will be played at 11 AM tomorrow at Wade Stadium in Duluth.
 
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MEDIA: If you need further information, please feel free to contact Dan DeWitt at 507-344-7856 or email ddewitt@blc.edu