DUBUQUE, Iowa - Winter like temperatures along with a few flurries of snow and hail set the stage for today's baseball game at Dan W. Runkle Field. The University of Dubuque Spartans welcomed in the Wartburg Knights for a three game series this weekend. Both teams endured the elements but Wartburg prevailed as they beat the Spartans 5-4 in game one.

Lead changes were a common occurrence as both teams traded runs early on. The Knights were first on the scoreboard platting one run in the first but the Spartans responded with two runs of their own retaking the lead 2-1. In the first, the Spartans collected four consecutive singles in which Bo Karlson and Hunter Hicks each drove in a run. The Knights recaptured the lead after scoring two runs in the third. In the bottom half of the inning, the Spartans answered back with a two out RBI single from Brandon Watkins that scored two runs after a fielding error by the left fielder to take a 4-3 lead. After a quiet fourth, the Knights tied the game at 4-4 in the fifth.

Pitching started to takeover as both teams combined for only one hit through the next two innings. In the top of the eight, Wartburg grabbed the lead after a solo homerun. Soon after, hail started to rain down which forced about a 30 minute delay as it covered the field. Once the field was cleared the game resumed in the eighth inning. The Spartans had a chance to tie or take the lead with the bases loaded but could not plate a run as they lost 5-4.

The Spartans tallied nine hits in which eight different players recorded a hit. Parker Allen led the Spartans as he went 2-5 from the plate. On the mound, Aidan Elfering got the start as he went seven full innings allowing five runs on 12 hits. Elfering struck out five in the loss. Anthony Scanlon came in relief and pitched the last two innings. Scanlon faced eight batters, striking out three and only giving up one hit. 

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The series will continue tomorrow as the Spartans and Knights will play a doubleheader starting at 1:00 p.m. The second game is scheduled to start 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game.