Des Moines, Iowa - The Viterbo University Baseball team lost two out of three games this weekend against Grand View University as the series determined who would win the regular season Midwest Collegiate Conference. Following the series loss, the V-Hawks will finish in third place with a 16-8 record.

The V-Hawks lost the series opener on Saturday afternoon by the score of 8-6 after Marc Mericle hit a game winning two-run home run for the Vikings.

Despite the loss, the V-Hawks found much success at the plate as Brandon Buelow (Jr. - Milwaukee, Wis.), Nick Lenzendorf (Sr. - Eastman, Wis.), and Andy Behnke (Jr. - Marshall, Minn.) all hit home runs. Lenzendorf was charged with the loss after allowing five runs on six hits in four innings of relief work.

Viterbo was defeated 7-1 in game two of Saturday's double-header as Grand View's starting pitcher Jared Meggison shut down the V-Hawk bats as he allowed seven hits while striking out five batters in a complete game effort.

The V-Hawks lone run was scored in the first inning as Buelow's RBI single drove in teammate John Pogatchnik (Sr. - Holdingford, Minn.).

After surrendering two runs in the second inning, the score would stay 2-1 until Viterbo allowed five runs in the fifth inning breaking open the game for the Vikings and ensuring the game two victory.

Viterbo would avoid the series sweep in Sunday's game as they defeated Grand View 7-4 behind starting pitcher Cole Clements (Fr. - Readstown, Wis.). Clements allowed four runs on 10 hits while striking out four Viking batters in six innings.

The V-Hawk offense clicked in game three as they collected 13 hits highlighted by a 3-for-3 performance by Eli Tupuola (Sr. - San Diego, Calif.). Tupuola added RBI's in both the first and seventh innings while also adding two runs of his own.

Buelow also added three hits for the V-Hawks as he finished 3-for-5 at the plate with a run scored. Brett Rettenmeier (Jr. - Cedar Rapids, Iowa) and Behnke also had productive days at the plate as they both finished the game 2-for-4.

The V-Hawks will now wrap up their regular season on Monday night with a non-conference game at Winona State with first pitch scheduled for 7:00 pm.