The wind and frigid weather Tuesday could not prevent Riverland from hosting North Iowa Area Community College for a non-conference baseball doubleheader, but the Trojans kept the host Blue Devils from continuing upon their win streak.

Riverland pitching surrendered nine runs before giving up a hit in the first inning of Tuesday's twinbill, eventually falling 15-1 -- the first Devil loss since April 9 in an MCCC game against Rochester. The Blue Devils were scheduled to meet RCTC again Wednesday, but cold temperatures postponed that league doubleheader until today at 2 p.m. in Rochester.

Despite the decimation in the first game, Riverland fought back to start a new winning streak with a 5-2 triumph in game two. Sean Breslin allowed two earned runs over six innings despite the defense's four errors. The normally fundamental Devils committed six errors in the frigid doubleheader, but rebounded with a win in the nightcap to move to 11-7 overall.

Breslin scattered four hits, two walks and two hit batsmen over six innings for the win. Jeff Geisler, who had already thrown one inning in the first game, gave up a walk and a hit in the seventh before getting the save.

Riverland had just four hits, but scored runs in four different innings to take the 5-2 win. Nate Vollbrecht's two-run double in the bottom of the first drove in Jacob Frey, who had singled, and Jamie Morrison, who had walked.

The Devils assembled back-to-back hits in the bottom of the second, with Josh Kunze ripping a double and scoring on Matt Nalan's single.

NIACC (19-21) came back to score twice in the top of the third to move within 3-2, but the Blue Devils added unearned runs for insurance. Frey came across in the third on a wild pitch after stealing second and moving to third on a sacrifice bunt by Michael Nastav. Frey plated Riverland's fifth run, driving in Nalan with a grounder that was booted by the Trojans' third baseman.

Falling behind

Riverland racked up just three hits after falling behind NIACC 9-0 through the first inning of game one. Starting pitcher Brian Hill could not find the zone, walking seven, hitting two, and tossing one wild pitch. Hill hit the first batter on a 3-0 pitch and at one point walked four in a row.

Derek Bonser came in for 3 2/3 innings of relief, giving up six runs -- five earned -- on five hits and two walks. Geisler struck out two in his inning pitched.

The Blue Devils' only run in the five-inning affair came across in third inning. Leadoff hitter Jeff Kvam reached with a single and scored on Nastav's double. Right-hander Nick Kinzebach allowed only one other hit -- a single to Frey -- in four innings of work.

"They actually fought hard, they just didn't have anything to show for it," Riverland coach Dave Meyer said. "They hit the ball hard, just right at people. We were putting it in play, but that kind of stuff happens."

In addition to today's scheduled game at RCTC, Riverland is scheduled for a rematch with Ridgewater College (19-6, 13-1) Saturday in Willmar at 1 p.m.. The Warriors took two from Riverland earlier this season.

Call Ross Thede at 434-2234 or e-mail him at :mailto:sports@austindailyherald.com.

Linescores:

Game One

NIACC96000--1553

Riverland00100--132

WP--Kinzebach. LP--Hill.

Game Two

NIACC0020000--252

Riverland211100x--544

WP--Breslin. LP--Millang. Sv--Geisler.