UPLAND, IN - In a game that will be remembered as one of the most thrilling in recent memory, the Grand View University baseball team overcame a five-run first inning deficit to secure an 11–10 victory over Taylor University, propelling them into the finals of the NAIA Baseball National Championship Opening Round.
The Vikings started Noah Schlup on the mound to open the game. Taylor University came out firing, with a barrage of doubles leading to an early 4-0 lead. Grand View brought in Jacob Draeger to close out the inning, but Taylor was able to bat in another run before ending the 1st inning in a 5-0 deficit.
In the top of the second, the Vikings went three-up three-down and were put back into a sticky situation in the bottom of the second with two outs, bases loaded, and a full count. Draeger was able to manage a strikeout and strand 3 runners, keeping the score at 5-0.
Grand View's offense ignited in the third inning. With the bases loaded, Erik Broekemeier delivered a two-RBI single, narrowing the gap to 5–2. The Vikings continued to chip away at Taylor's lead, with Broekemeier's three-run homer in the fifth inning bringing the score to 9–5. Taylor managed to score a single run in the bottom of the 5th, extending the lead back to five runs.
A quick 6th inning, including a Brock Johnson solo shot over the left center fence brought the Vikings within four with a score of 10-6. In the seventh, a series of timely hits, including a two-run homer by Carson Wadel and a go-ahead RBI single by Patrick Bergkamp, propelled Grand View to an 11–10 lead.
The Vikings' defense was equally impressive to close out the game. Evan Borst came in to close the game on the mound, and delivered a great two inning performance with 1 strikeout, no hits, no runs, and no walks. In the bottom of the ninth, a diving catch by shortstop Patrick Bergkamp and a game-ending diving catch by first baseman Erik Broekemeier in foul territory secured the victory.
With this exhilarating comeback, Grand View University has not only advanced to the NAIA Baseball National Championship Opening Round Finals, but has also demonstrated the heart and grit that define championship-caliber teams. The Vikings will look to carry this momentum forward as they aim for their first world series birth under coach Doug Brinker.
GAME NOTES
? Erik Broekemeier wet 3-5 with 5 RBI's, 1 HR
? Brock Rinehart 2-run shot to start the 7th inning scoring outburst
? Carson Wadel 2-run shot to tie the game in the 7th
? Patrick Bergkamp's diving catch in the bottom of the 9th
UP NEXT
The Vikings will play tomorrow at 10:00 AM CST in the NAIA Baseball National Tournament Opening Round Championship in the Upland Bracket against the No.3 Kansas Wesleyan University. The Vikings need to win back-to-back games tomorrow to advance to the NAIA Baseball World Series.
