Vikings Season Ends With 8-2 NCAA Regional Loss

WHITEWATER, Wis. – No. 5 Luther (Iowa) beat No. 6 Salem State 8-2 on Friday, eliminating the Vikings from the 2021 NCAA Baseball Regional hosted by Wisconsin-Whitewater. Salem State ends their season 13-10 while the Norse (32-15) stay alive to play Texas Lutheran, who lost to Penn State Harrisburg 6-4 tomorrow. 

Zach Piroh provided all of the Viking's offense, connecting for a two-run home run in the fourth that gave Salem State a 2-0 lead. Tied 2-2 in the sixth, Owen Vander Linden put Luther on top 4-2 with a two-run single. Nicholas Rector started for the Vikings, and was charged with four runs in five innings of work, allowing four hits with three walks and five strikeouts before being replaced by Matt Enos.

The Norse put the game away with a four-run eighth. A fielder's choice and Vander Linden single plated two before Cullen Stamp brought home two more runs with a base hit to centerfield.

Calvin Brinda pitched a complete game for Luther, giving up just two runs on four hits with a walk and five strikeouts. Traverse Briana went 2-for-4 with a single and double for Salem State, which only had one hit after the fourth inning. Vander Linden finished 2-for-4 with three RBI for the Norse.