In the home opener at Ronken Field on Friday afternoon, Augustana baseball defeated Bemidji State 9 to 0, thanks in part to 17 strikeouts from Caleb Saari, who tied a programme mark.

The Moorhead, Minnesota, senior right-hander was sharp right away, pitching a complete game shutout while allowing just one hit and one walk into the eighth inning. It was his first career shutout and fifth career complete game.

With three hits from Jack Hines, the Vikings (7-2 overall, 1-0 NSIC) topped the team in offensive totals with 13. Hines powered the bats with a double and four runs scored. Along with Ragan Pinnow, who also went 2 for 4 with a double, run scored, and walk, Tate Meiners launched his third home run of the year and finished with three RBI. Drey Dirksen scored two runs and hit his fourth triple of his career. Six of AU’s nine starters scored runs, and all nine had at least one hit.

The Vikings took the lead as Saari retired the first two Beavers(1-14, 0-5) in the opening inning. Two runners were on after a single by Nick Banowetz and a hit by pitch by Joe Kolbeck. Hines dribbled one past the pitcher with one out to score Banowetz and start the scoring after a double steal placed both in scoring position. Meiners hit a fastball through the left side three pitches later, driving in Kolbeck to give the Vikings a 2-0 lead.

Saari continued rolling in the third, setting the tone when he struck out the side. Dirksen reached base with a one out triple in the bottom of the inning and would later score when Meiners sent a shot to left field for a two-out, two-run home run.

Ethan Cole reached on a HBP and Pinnow singled up the middle to keep the inning rolling, and Cole scored on a wild pitch during a Cole Goeser at bat for the fifth run of the game. After another wild pitch sent Pinnow to third, Goeser smacked a single through the left side to bring him home and give the Vikings a 6-0 lead after three innings of play.

The AU advantage increased to 7-0 when Kolbeck doubled, swiped third and scored on a sac fly to centre field by Hines, which came between five strikeouts by Saari in the fourth and fifth innings.

In the sixth inning, Banowetz reached on a fielder’s mistake, stole third, and a Dirksen walk put runners on the corners. Hines finished off the scoring with a two-run double to give the Vikings a 9-0 lead. Dirksen advanced to scoring position via a steal.

Saari finished the shutout with five strikeouts in the last three innings, including three in the eighth.

On Saturday afternoon, the Vikings and Beavers will play a doubleheader. Game one’s first pitch is set for 1 p.m.