STORM LAKE, Iowa (April 22, 2023) - Zack Beekmann broke a 1-1 tie with a 2-run home run in the fourth inning before Buena Vista added seven runs in the eighth inning, and that was more than enough for Morgan Smith who tossed a complete-game five-hitter as BVU captured a 10-1 series-opening vicotry over Luther College on Saturday afternoon.

On a crisp and chilly afternoon both starting pitchers engaged in a pitching duel until the final inning. Smith gained an early advantage with BVU scoring on a defensive miscue from Luther in the second. Luther would strike back scoring on a sacrifice fly in the fourth, but the momentum would not last long as Beekmann launched a two-run shot in the bottom half of the inning to regain the advantage for the Beavers.

Smith made good use of the support, holding the score at 3-1 into the eighth. The Beavers lineup went to the plate in the bottom half of the frame looking to provide him with more of a cushion. They would do that and then some, exploding for seven runs. Drew Taylor came through in the clutch with a two-run single followed by an RBI single from Evan Taylor. The runs would prove to be more than enough as Smith pitched a scoreless ninth to secure the complete game victory.

The Boone, Iowa native finished with nine innings pitched, allowing just one unearned run on five hits while striking out eight. The dominant effort earned him his seventh win of the season (7-1).

The Beavers lineup finished with 10 runs on 12 hits. Jordan Mathewson helped lead the way with three hits and three runs scored. Beekmann, Calvin Harris, and Drew Taylor each contributed multi-RBI performances.

Buena Vista runs its current overall win streak to 11 and improves to 26-5 overall (17-1 A-R-C). Luther has now dropped four straight games and sits at 19-12 on the year (12-4 A-R-C).

NEXT UP: The two teams will wrap up the series on Sunday afternoon with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. Both games will be broadcasted locally on 97.5FM KBVU.