MINNEAPOLIS -- Kyle Hoppe (SR, Andover, Minn./Andover HS) hit a timely RBI double in the top of the seventh inning of the second game, leading the Augsburg University baseball team to a split in a nonconference doubleheader against Crown College on Saturday morning at U.S. Bank Stadium.

THE BASICS
SCORE: Crown 8, Augsburg 0; Augsburg 3, Crown 2
LOCATION: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
RECORD: Augsburg 2-6 overall, Crown 5-14 overall

GAME 1 HIGHLIGHTS
• Crown's leadoff batter hit a solo homerun in the top of the first inning. The Storm then scored two unearned runs to take a 3-0 lead. Crown added two runs the sixth and three runs in the seventh inning for the 8-0 win.
• Augsburg collected six hits, but was held scoreless through seven innings. 
• John Retterath (SO, Excelsior, Minn./Minnetonka HS) started on the mound for Augsburg, striking out four batters and only allowing one earned run in five innings of work. Matthew Rones (JR, Bethesda, Md./Walt Whitman HS) pitched 1.2 innings of relief, striking out two batters.  

GAME 2 HIGHLIGHTS
• Augsburg picked up its first run of the day in the top of the first inning, when Connor Stoik (SO, Eau Claire, Wis./Eau Claire Memorial HS) scored on a throwing error by the Storm. 
• Trailing 2-1 going into the sixth inning, Michael Weiss (SO, Marion, Iowa/Linn-Mar HS) doubled to right field, plating Stoik and tying the game at 2-2. 
• In the top of the seventh inning, Rico Rodriguez (SO, Hermantown, Minn./Hermantown HS) led off for the Auggies and drew a walk. Reilly Nolin (SR, Rice Lake, Wis./Rice Lake HS) went in as a pinch-runner for Rodriguez and was advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Noah Thomas (SO, Woodbury, Minn./East Ridge HS). Hoppe then hit a two-out double to center field, scoring Nolin for the go-ahead run. 
• With two runners on and two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Luke Johnson (SO, Northfield, Minn./Northfield HS) threw a perfect fastball for strike three and the final out of the game. 
• Johnson picked up his first collegiate win, pitching three innings of relief and striking out three batters. Stoik started on the mound for Augsburg in his collegiate pitching debut, throwing two innings, striking out two and giving up no runs. 

FOR THE FOES 
• In the first game, Seth Betts was 2-for-3, scored three runs and had an RBI for the Storm. Chad Herrera went 3-for-3 and had two RBI. 
• Pitcher Nick Schroedle picked up his first win of the season with a seven-inning shutout effort in the opener. He struck out nine batters and gave up only one walk. 

UP NEXT
• Augsburg starts Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play on Sunday (3/28), hosting Bethel University for a doubleheader at 5 p.m. at U.S. Bank Stadium.