The No. 17 Augustana baseball squad entered the NCAA Regional tournament facing a formidable opponent in No. 3 Pittsburg State, and the matchup proved to be a test of endurance and skill.
Early breakthrough by Pittsburg State
After a quiet start, the Gorillas struck first in the top of the third inning, plating a run that set the tone for the contest.
Augustana answered back in the bottom of the third, tying the game and shifting momentum briefly in their favor.
Regaining the lead
The lead changed hands again in the fifth when Pittsburg State added two runs, and the advantage grew in the seventh as a solo home run extended the margin.
The Gorillas capped the scoring with three more runs in the ninth, sealing a 7‑1 victory.
Despite the loss, Augustana’s pitching staff showed resilience; Ethan Hoffman threw seven innings, yielding four runs while striking out four batters.
Offensively, Nate Soelter delivered a hit and an RBI, while Maddox Foss contributed a hit and a run scored, underscoring the team’s effort.
The Vikings now turn their attention to an elimination game against Arkansas Tech, a matchup that will determine their fate in the tournament.