Max Uetz delivers two-run homer after study break to help Luther down Wartburg

CEDAR RAPIDS — When rain began to fall and interrupted one of the biggest games of the season, Luther's Max Uetz went to work.

He wasn't focused on scouting opposing pitchers or preparing for his next at-bat. The sophomore biology major utilized the break to study for an upcoming genetics final.

'I have flash cards on my phone,' Uetz said. 'I went and studied in the dugout right away. Teammates made fun of me of me a little bit, but I got it done and then we went and sat in the auxiliary locker room a little bit and hung out.'

The good-natured ribbing during the 2:21 rain delay turned to congratulatory pats on the back when he delivered a two-run home run that helped third-seeded Luther to a 9-3 victory over No. 1 Wartburg in the Iowa Conference baseball tournament Friday at Memorial Stadium.

Luther (31-12) won its seventh straight game but was clinging to a 4-3 lead in the top of the sixth. Cody Reimer led off with a single and brought Uetz to the plate. Uetz belted an offering from reliever Taylor Gilson over the left-field wall, providing some much needed insurance on the scoreboard.

'That's just the dream,' said Uetz, who had just one home run coming into the tournament. 'It is what I visualize in my head every time, getting that big hit for the team.

'I ran pretty hard out of the box. I wasn't sure right away. Once you see it go over the fence you get to do the home-run trot, give your coach a high-five, all your teammates are waiting for you at home plate and that's sweet.'

Luther Coach Bryan Nikkel said Uetz might have been more surprised than he was about the blast.

'Max has been on the barrel,' Nikkel said. 'He's been hot lately. He's worked his butt off to get to that point.'

The home run sparked the five-run frame, including a two-run double from Jon Opdahl and run-scoring infield single from Joe Silversmith.

Uetz finished with three hits and three RBIs, driving in Reimer with a single for a 2-0 Luther lead in the fourth.

Wartburg (32-10) struck before the delay, scoring three in the fourth. Mike Brown smacked a two-run double, giving the Knights a one-run edge.

Luther took the lead in its first after the game resumed. Opdahl had an RBI groundout and Mitch Kneppenberg had a run-scoring single to give the Norse the lead for good. Opdahl had three RBIs and Silversmith and Reimer had two hits apiece,

Luther has averaged almost 10 runs per game in the tournament. Nikkel said the Norse are producing quality at-bats.

'It's been awesome,' Uetz said. 'Everyone from top to bottom has been contributing. A guy goes up there and you just have a feeling they are going to get a hit or get on base.

'It's a team effort.'

Luther received another strong pitching performance. This time it came from reliever Mason Whitham, who took over after the break and pitched five shutout innings for his second victory this season. Nikkel said it was one of his Whitham's longest outings, but he wasn't going to be removed.

'He's had that ability,' Nikkel said. 'He's pitched really, really well for us down the stretch. He's been that guy to come out of the bullpen and get us out of tough situations.'

The Norse now await the consolation champion and just need to win one more game for its first IIAC baseball tournament title since 2007.

'We're definitely in a good spot but you can't let up here,' Nikkel said. 'You have to go. It's go time. The same approach we've taken.

'Can't put the cart in front of the horse. We haven't won anything yet.'

The rain delay provided Coe with a day off. The Kohawks were set to play Buena Vista Friday night, but that consolation has been moved to 10 a.m. Saturday with the first of two possible championship games at 4 p.m.

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