AUSTIN, Texas - The Pacific Lutheran University baseball team generated some early fireworks on Super Bowl Sunday, cranking out 13 hits, including a record setting triple from Andy Schmitz, as the Lutes closed out its trip to the Lone Star State with a 9-3 thrashing of Texas Lutheran University.
 
"It was a productive weekend. Taking three of four on the road is always positive. Norris, Cohen, and Moreno really did a great job on the mound today," said Head Coach Nolan Soete.
 
Cole Trotignon got things rolling for the Lutes (5-2) in the bottom of the first, belting a single to score Aaron Barber and Schmitz for the early 2-0 lead.
 
The Bulldogs (2-4) narrow the gap to a single run in the fourth but a Lukas Delisle single in the bottom of the frame put PLU up 3-1. Texas Lutheran tied the game in the fifth with a pair of runs but the Lutes responded with a four-run seventh and a two-run eighth to secure the win.
 
A Trotignon single scored Sean Kauffman for the first run of the seventh before Barber drew a bases loaded walk to make it 5-3. Ethan Keintz double the Lute lead with a single up the middle to make it 7-3. In the eighth, Schmitz belted his record shattering 12th career triple, scoring Braeden Lundberg before a Barber sacrifice fly allowed Schmitz to score, making it 9-3.
 
"Offensively it was a complete team effort. We had production up and down the lineup. Trotignon had four hits and Schmitz broke the all-time triples record. Overall, we did a good job in all three phases this weekend."
 
Trotignon was four-for-five at the plate with three RBIs and one run scored while Schmitz had three hits and three runs scored with two of his three hits going for extra bases. Keintz had a pair of hits while all told, seven PLU players got a hit.
 
Wyatt Norris opened the game on the mound, pitching 4 2/3 innings and striking out three. Jonathan Cohen secured the win, tossing 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief while Chris Moreno earned the save with three strikeouts and no runs allowed over the final three innings.
 
Pacific Lutheran opens up Northwest Conference play on Saturday, hosting Lewis & Clark College at PLU Field. First pitch of the doubleheader begins at 11 a.m.