CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The #4 seed University of Dubuque Spartans baseball team fell behind early against the #3-seed Luther College Norse 2-1 and then took the lead in the fifth by a 6-2 score. UD extended the lead to 8-3 through six innings before Luther would rally in the bottom of the eighth and ninth innings to end the Spartans season with a come from behind 9-8 victory in a single walk-off in a light rain.

Colin Husko broke his own school record of hits in a season after finishing the game 3-5 and collecting his 68th hit, the all-time UD record. He continues to re-write the UD record book, in the past two seasons he sits atop the record book in hits in a season with 68 hits (2024) and 65 hits (2023). The sophomore shortstop finished the 2024 season as the team leader in batting, .398 in 42 games started. In his 171 at bats, he ended 2024 with 68 hits, 42 runs, 11 doubles, a pair of triples and homeruns with 34 RBI's and a slugging percentage of .520 and an on base percentage of .480. He was a perfect 23-23 in stolen bases

The Spartans (24-18 overall and 13-11 in the A-R-C) lost 10 games in 2024 by two runs or less, including both contests on Thursday in the A-R-C tournament. UD lost just three games by more than four runs this season. UD compiled 417 strikeouts and were led by Johnny Blake who finished with 111, trailed closely by Aidan Elfering's 83, and Charlie Jaeger's 69. Blake had the team's lowest ERA of 1.90 and was 7-3 as he tossed three complete games in 75.2 innings.

Jake Cekander ranked second in hitting percentage with an average of .340 with 53 hits and 34 RBI's. Aidan Elfering led the Spartans in RBI's with 49 and in homeruns with six and 13 doubles. Daniel Maller led in walks with 29 and in slugging percentage with .540 after 10 doubles, two triples, and five homeruns in 126 at bats. Kyle Radi added to his hit by pitches on Thursday and led the team with 17.