SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The Golden Bears (21-18, 13-17 NSIC) had their hands full against  No. 16 Augustana (33-6, 24-4 NSIC) in the series finale from Ronken Field, as they dropped the contest, 14-3, in seven innings on Sunday afternoon.
 
As a team, Concordia collected four hits. Jaden Werner led the way for the Golden Bears with a perfect 3-3 outing, including a double and an RBI. Nick Thimsen provided an extra-base hit with a double in the second inning.
 
The pitching staff had a busy afternoon with four different arms seeing action for the Navy and Gold. Freshman Ian Segna (4-1) was charged with his first collegiate loss on the mound. The Lakeville, Minnesota native collected three strikeouts in 3.0 innings pitched and did not walk any of the 18 batters that he faced. Evan Eberle closed the show with a career-high four strikeouts in the final 2.0 innings of action.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
CSP started strong by striking first with a two-run opening inning. To open the scoring in game three, Jaden Werner blasted an RBI double into the left center gap to drive in Bennett McCollow for the first run of the game before Noah Juliar sailed a sacrifice fly RBI fly into right field to drive in Thimsen to give CSP an early 2-0 advantage.
 
Augustana answered with a strong second inning with five runs off six hits to take their first lead of the ballgame, which was sparked by a two-out double from Luke Ballweg that was followed by five consecutive singles to give them the 5-2 lead.
 
The Vikings continued to keep the bats hot with home runs from Drey Dirksen and Parker Mooney in the third, and they showed their resiliency to battle with two outs with a pair of RBI doubles in the fourth to extend their lead to seven runs at 9-2.
 
Augie added their second five-run inning of the game that was highlighted by a 3-run homer from Jack Hines to put themselves in front by 12 runs.
 
CSP gained momentum in the sixth inning after Werner, Bryce Nelson and Lamine Diaby-Gassama reached safely to load the bases with no outs in the innings. They tallied their final run of the game after a passed ball led to Werner crossing safety for an unearned run.
 
Eberle shined in a relief pitching role in the final two innings on the bump with a team-leading four strikeouts, but his performance was not enough to halt Augustana from claiming the series, 3-0, with a 14-3 victory.
 
UP NEXT
Concordia-St. Paul baseball will return to action next week for a midweek home doubleheader against the Minnesota State Mavericks. Action from Barnes Field is scheduled for Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.