CEDAR RAPIDS – Fourth-seeded Wartburg made its way into the championship round of the 2009 Iowa Conference baseball Championships with a 15-2 knockout round win over third-seeded Coe Saturday, May 9.

The Knights (25-18) used a two-run home from outfielder Patrick Grau and a grand slam off the bat of catcher A.J. Lewis to highlight their offensive outburst. The run production also aided starting pitcher Jake Kuennen who struck out four and surrendered six hits and two runs over seven innings.

Coe (25-19) reached the match-up with Wartburg after plating two runs in the bottom of the eighth to defeat fifth-seeded Buena Vista 5-4. Outfielder Adam Nisenson and infielder John Logan each drilled RBI singles to overturn a 4-3 BV lead. Nisenson, Logan and infielder Ryan Velvick each had two hits for the Kohawks, while infielder Brad Blum drove in two runs for the Beavers (27-14).

With a win, Luther would advance to the NCAA Division III regional for the second time in five years. A Wartburg victory would force an ultimate championship contest immediately after the 4 p.m. start.