Norse sweep Dubuque in three games, move to sixth place in IIAC

The Luther College baseball team swept the University of Dubuque April 24-25 in three games. The Norse pounded out 33 hits en route to wins of 7-1, 12-1 and 9-4

In game one, the Norse scored seven runs on eight hits, scoring four times in the fourth and twice in the sixth. Mitch Obey (‘12) drove in two runs with a double in the fourth while Zack Topping (‘10) hit a two-run home run in the sixth, his second of the year. Ben Schott (‘10) was 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Cody Hyland (‘10) (4-3) went the distance on the mound, allowing one run on four hits while striking out seven.

Game two saw the Norse put multiple runs on the scoreboard in every inning except two. Joe Thompson (‘11) and Chris Reynolds (‘12) both tallied two hits while Schott and Kevin Bradley (‘12) led the squad with two RBI each. In the fourth inning, Schott hit his seventh home run of the year, a solo shot to right-center field.

Jeff Riddle (‘10) (3-2) picked up the win. Riddle did not allow a run in four innings of work. He gave up three hits, walked two and struck out four.

In the day two finale, Norse posted a 9-4 victory.

Luther broke the game wide open, scoring six runs on six hits in the second. Schott led the offensive attack, going 3-for-4 four RBI. Schott hit a solo home run in the first and on his very next trip to the plate, hit a three-run home run in the second. His two home runs give him nine for the season, which ties him with John Jaeger (‘05) and Kyle Schroeder (‘07) for the single season record.

Topping and Bradley also produced multiple hits. Topping was 2-for-4 as the designated hitter while Bradley went 3-for-3 in the ninth slot.

Danny Smith (‘13) (3-1) was credited with the win. Smith allowed one earned run on six hits, walked three and struck out two in six innings of work.

The wins give Luther an Iowa Conference record of 6-9, 18-13 overall. Dubuque falls to 1-14 in league play, 7-22 overall.