WAVERLY, Iowa - Wartburg's Jacob Thumann hit a go-ahead solo homer in the eighth inning as the Knights posted a 3-2 baseball victory over visiting St. Olaf on Friday evening in the Oles' season opener.

St. Olaf led 2-0 on Sam Stuckmayer's two-run homerun on his first collegiate at bat in the second inning. Tim Maus went 2-for-4 while Nate Bauer was 1-for-2 with a walk in the loss for the Oles.

Nate Gelle scattered 12 hits, struck out five and walked none in seven-plus innings of work in the loss. 

Wartburg (6-3) split duties between Parker Bolt, who went five innings, and Taylor Gibson. Gibson earned the win, tossing four shutout innings while striking out five and walking one.

The teams will play an 11 a.m. game on Saturday to complete the two-game set.