GALESBURG, Ill. — Augustana College enjoyed its time at Knox College's Blodgett Field on Wednesday afternoon, slugging home runs in each of the first three innings, allowing the visiting Vikings to cruise to a 17-3 victory over the Prairie Fire. Ethan Sosnowski led the offensive surge for Augustana (13-10) by going 3-for-4 with six RBIs, while junior Andrew Garrett was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate for Knox (11-11).
The first seven Viking runs trotted across the plate on home runs off three different Prairie Fire pitchers, who used the non-conference game to get some of their moundsmen some experience on the bump. Daniel Mosele launched a three-run jack in the first, Colton Davis a two-run shot in the second and Sosnowski added another two-run blast in the third. Each was those players' first home run of the season.
In the fourth, Augustana scored five unearned runs to extend its lead to 13-0 before Knox fought back. Junior Thomas Wilmot line a two-run single to left, scoring Garrett and sophomore Buckie Zamora, and with two down, sophomore Tyler Thiem rolled a ball back up the middle to bring home Wilmot.
But a wild comeback was not in the cards on this day as the Vikings tacked on a solitary run in the fifth and three more in the sixth to put the game out of reach.
Jeremy Bergeron (1-0) earned his first win of the season by hurling three shutout innings while allowing just one hit and three walks to go with a pair of strikeouts. Junior Ethan Rompala-Matthews (0-1) was stuck with the loss after surrendering three unearned runs in the first, but he also had two punchouts as well. The only Prairie Fire pitcher to escape the day unscathed was junior Brady Bertrand, who retired the side in order in the seventh.
Knox (3-3 Midwest Conference) will begin a nine-game road trip this weekend, starting with a three-game series at rival Monmouth College (9-14, 4-4 MWC). Saturday's doubleheader will start at noon, as will the series finale on Sunday, all at Glasgow Field. Fans who can't make it to Monmouth can keep up with the action online with the live video and stats provided by the Fighting Scots, which will be available through PrairieFire.Knox.edu, the official website of Knox Athletics.
