Luther punched its ticket to the NCAA III National Tournament this afternoon in Cedar Rapids, defeating Wartburg College 10-4 in the Iowa Conference Tournament championship game played at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
The Norse posted a record of 4-0 defeating Simpson 12-10, Buena Vista 8-4, Wartburg 9-3 and then defeating Wartburg again this afternoon.
In today's title tilt, the Norse pounded out 14 hits and took a 5-3 lead after scoring four runs in the top of the fifth and never trailed the rest of the way. The Norse added two in the sixth, one in the eighth and two more in the ninth en route to the victory.
Czenvic Rojer led the attack going 2-for-5 with a team best four RBI. Bryce Hingst drove in two runs that included his first collegiate home run, a solo shot over the right field fence to start the ninth. Mitch Knippenberg also drove in two runs, while Alex Weber and Jake Halverson were both credited with one RBI.
Cody Reimer (6-1) went the distance on the mound. Reimer allowed four runs on seven hits, walked five and struck out six.
The win gives Luther an overall record of 32-12. The Norse will be making their first appearance in the NCAA III National Tournament since 2007.
The win gives Luther an overall record of 32-12. The Norse will be making their first appearance in the NCAA III National Tournament since 2007.