NEW ULM, Minn. – Minnesota Morris (11-19, 4-6 UMAC) was able to earn a split against Martin Luther (5-21, 3-9 UMAC) after dropping game one 4-0. In the second game Morris scored early and late to win 9-5. Seven Cougars had a hit in game number two.
Noah Grove threw seven innings of relief in game two to earn the win, he did not allow an earned run on the mound.
The Cougars were held in check all day in game one, picking up just four hits in nine innings. Both teams struggled offensively early; Martin Luther had the first of the game in the bottom of the fourth. Morris picked up their hit in the fifth inning. Despite the hits on both sides, the game remained scoreless.
The Knights had a runner in scoring position in the sixth, their second opportunity of the game but did not score. The Cougars loaded the bases in top of the seventh with nobody out. Unfortunately, a strikeout, pop out and ground out ended the threat.
In the bottom of the eighth Martin Luther made the Cougars pay. The Knights would score four runs on four hits and an error. In the ninth inning Morris could not get going and fell 4-0.
Joey Hyde went the distance for UMM on the mound, allowing three unearned runs and striking out four in eight innings of work.
The scoring came early in the second game of the day. The Cougars scored four runs in the top of the second on three hits.
Evan Ellingworth drove in the first run of the game.
Zach Kuefler made it 2-0 on a single to left field.
Chandler Erickson and
Jackson Gessell also had RBI's in the inning. The Knights would get back in the game with a run in the second inning and two runs in the bottom of the third.
Bryce Jergenson gave the Cougars a two run lead with a double, driving in Erickson in the fourth. The score would stay 5-3 until the seventh when
Willie Fust drove in Gessell.
In the top of the ninth Fust was at it again, driving in
Donnie Mavencamp to give Morris a 7-3 lead. Two Knight errors would allow the Cougars to push their lead to six at 9-3. In the bottom of the ninth Martin Luther tried to make a comeback but it came up short, falling 9-5.
Minnesota Morris back at home on Saturday against North Central.
