Luther Defeats Simpson 8-5 in 11 - Schott hits walk-off homerun
April 10, 2009
Luther scratched and clawed its way to an 11-inning victory this afternoon here in Decorah. Trailing 4-1 entering the bottom of the eighth of a scheduled nine inning game, the Norse tied the game thanks to three runs on five hits.
In the eighth, the Norse did all of their damage with two outs. Steve Beckman drove in Chris Reynolds, who started the inning with a single to left, driving a double to right-center. Beckman's hit was followed by a two-run single to right by Joe Thompson that scored Zack Topping and Beckman.
In the 11th, Simpson scored a run on two hits and had a little help from the Norse as they committed their second error of the ball game.
The bottom of the frame started with consecutive singles by Nate Neis, Chris Reynolds and Jake Waddle loading the bases for Topping, who tied the game with a sacrifice fly to right field scoring Neis. With runners on first and third, Ben Schott hit a bomb deep over the right field fence for a three-run walk-off home run, and the 8-5 victory.
Schott's home run was his first hit of the afternoon and was a bit of sweet revenge. In the bottom of the ninth, Schott grounded into a double play with bases loaded and one out to end the inning and the opportunity to secure the victory in regulation.
Jeff Riddle was credited with the win in relief of Norse starter Nate Todd. Riddle pitched the final four innings, gave up one unearned run, walked one and struck out three.
Waddle and Beckman paced the offensive attack that produced 16 hits, with three hits each. Waddle was 3-for-5, while Beckman was 3-for-4.
Today's victory gives the Norse an Iowa Conference record of 4-3, 12-7 overall. Simpson is now 7-5 in the IIAC, 15-11 overall.
These two teams will resume the three-game series tomorrow. The seven inning double header will begin at 1:00 p.m. and can be heard via audio stream at http://kwlc.luther.edu/sports.
