GAME 1 BOX | GAME 2 BOX

MESA, Ariz. -- John Demgen (JR, Minneapolis, Minn./South HS) had five hits and scored four runs in the doubleheader, leading the Augsburg College baseball team to a split with Keene State College (N.H.) in the Auggies' final twinbill at the Greater Phoenix Invitational on Friday afternoon at Gene Autry Park.

Augsburg (6-9 overall) won the first game 13-6, but Keene State (6-5) claimed the nightcap 8-5. Augsburg finished 5-5 on its spring break-week trip. 

Craig Henry (SR, Lino Lakes, Minn./Central HS) and Joe Pierce (SR, Eden Prairie, Minn.) drove in four runs each in the doubleheader, with Henry collecting four hits and scoring three runs, and Pierce collecting five hits and scoring twice.

During the week of games in Arizona, Pierce hit .500 (17-of-34) with 13 RBI, four doubles, two triples and six runs scored. Henry hit .469 (15-of-32) with 11 RBI, three doubles, a home run andh 10 runs scored. Demgen hit .419 (13-of-31) with seven RBI, a double, triple and 11 runs scored.

In the first game, Henry went 4-for-4 with a double, three runs scored and three RBI, while Demgen and Pierce each went 3-for-4, with Pierce driving in three runs and Demgen scoring three runs.

Leading 6-3, Augsburg used a seven-run fifth inning, sending 11 batters to the plate and collecting seven hits, to break the game open. Donald Blunt (JR, Richfield, Minn.) had a run-scoring double and Bobby Monsour (SO, Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Roseville HS) had a run-scoring triple in the inning, while Eric Olson (SR, New Prague, Minn.) drove in two runs on a single.

Marshall Nelson (JR, Albertville, Minn./West Lutheran HS) picked up the pitching win for the Auggies, striking out three in 4.1 innings of work. Jeff Boresz (SO, Chardon, Ohio/Mentor HS) had three strikeouts in relief.

In the second game, both teams did most of their scoring in the first inning, as Augsburg opened the game with a four-run top-of-the-first, while Keene State scored six runs in the bottom half.

Demgen went 2-for-3 at the plate with a double and triple for the Auggies, while Pierce and Olson each went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Olson and Blunt both had doubles in the first inning, with Blunt driving in two runs and Olson bringing home a run.

Augsburg returns to Minnesota for three doubleheaders in the Metrodome, the first a twinbill with St. Scholastica next Thursday (3/25) at 9 a.m.