DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque baseball team opened a critical series with the Luther College Norse on Friday afternoon. The Spartans bats came to life with 16 hits to defeat the Norse 10-2 in the series opener. 

Daniel Maller had three doubles on the afternoon that led to five RBIs in the first three innings of the game. Maller got the scoring started in the second inning with a bases clearing double to left field. He then hit his second double in the third inning, scoring two to give the Spartans a commanding 8-0 lead. 

The Spartans led 9-0 after four innings and was close to ending the game in the seventh inning with the ten run rule, but Luther scored their first run of the game in the seventh. Jake Cekander batted in the Spartans tenth run of the game in the bottom of the seventh off his only hit of the game. 

JD Schaffer, Aidan Elfering, and Maller all had three-hit days. Schaffer added a pair of RBIs to his stat line. The Spartans tied their season-high for hits in a game (16) and hit five doubles in the game, which is the most in a game this season. 

Shae Buskohl was phenomenal today in a seven inning outing allowing only six hits and one earned run. Buskohl struck out nine batters on his way to his fourth win of the season. 

The Spartans are now 14-16 overall and 6-10 in conference play.

Up Next
The Spartans will finish up the series with the Norse with a doubleheader tomorrow beginning at 1:00 p.m. from Dan W. Runkle Baseball Field.