CRESTWOOD, Ill. – The Bluejays would out-hit their opponents, and keep them off the scoreboard until late, but Elmhurst would be unable to hold onto a narrow lead down the stretch, falling 4-1 to Augustana at Ozinga Field on Friday afternoon.

Augustana 4, Elmhurst 1
WP: Nettleton • LP: Goergen (0-1) • Sv: Buckalew

Both starting pitchers would put in strong performances, with Elmhurst breaking through with the first hit of the ballgame in the bottom of the 2nd, when Zach Konrad hit a one-out single to right. In the bottom of the 3rd the Bluejays would take the lead after a one-out double from Adan Nieves and an infield single from Marty Fraga set the table for Timothy O'Connell's sac fly.

The Vikings would take their first lead of the day in the top of the 7th, taking advantage of four walks and a sac fly for a 2-1 lead. The visitors would tack on extra runs in the 8th and 9th to pull away and take the series opener.

Konrad and Nieves led the Jays with two base hits apiece, with Nieves hitting a double for the lone extra-base hit for Elmhurst. Landon Banaszynski had a strong outing on the mound, going six innings with two hits and one run allowed.

The Bluejays wrapup the three-game set with Augustana on Saturday, when they travel to Rock Island for a doubleheader starting at noon.