GAME 1 BOX | GAME 2 BOX

MESA, Ariz. -- Joe Pierce (SR, Eden Prairie, Minn.) had three hits and drove in three runs, and Craig Henry (SR, Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial HS) had three hits and drove in two runs, as the Augsburg College baseball team claimed a split with Mayville State University (N.D.) in a Greater Phoenix Invitational doubleheader on Wednesday at Gene Autry Park.

Augsburg (4-7) overall won the first game 8-5, while Mayville State (4-7) won the second game 6-5. Augsburg is 3-3 in its six games so far in Arizona, with two doubleheaders remaining.

John Demgen (JR, Minneapolis, Minn./South HS) had two hits, drove in two runs and scored four of Augsburg's 13 runs on the afternoon.

In the first game, Augsburg scored in five of its six innings at the plate, rallying from a 4-1 deficit to score the victory. Pierce had a two-run triple in the sixth inning, and Donald Blunt (JR, Richfield, Minn.) had a triple and scored a run in the fifth frame. 

Starter Tom Petersen (SO, Hugo, Minn./White Bear Lake HS), the first of four pitchers Augsburg used in the opener, struck out four in four innings of work to score the win. Just two of the four runs against him were earned.

In the second game, Mayville State scored five of its six runs in the second inning, sending nine batters to the plate. The Comets added another run in the sixth inning.

Augsburg rallied back with a run in the fourth inning, three runs in the fifth inning and a run in the seventh inning. Henry had a run-scoring double in the fifth inning, and Trent Anderson (SO, Eagan, Minn.) drove in two runs on two groundouts.

Augsburg will face Brockport State (N.Y.) on Thursday (3/18) in a doubleheader at 12 p.m.