The Concordia baseball team returned to the diamond on Wednesday afternoon with a non-conference double with UM Dearborn. The Wolverines and Cardinals squared off for the first time this year as they prep for their conference matchup later this month. The Cardinals totaled 29 total runs in the two games leading to a sweep over the Wolverines.
Game 1 – CUAA 18, UMD 7
The Wolverines jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead through the first three innings. The Cardinals responded in the bottom of the third with three runs. Preston Sherman led off the inning with a double and eventually scored on an RBI double by Adam Purdy. Grant Steinborn added the Cardinals third RBI of the inning on and RBI flyout scoring Adam Purdy.
The Cardinals totaled 15 runs combined in the 4th and 5th innings. The Cardinals used a combination singles, sacrifices, and took advantage of UMD errors to generate six runs on three hits. Singles by RJ Bortle and Adam Purdy led the Cardinals charge.
The Cardinals batted around in the fifth inning leading to nine more runs. The inning was highlighted by a 3-run home run by Calvin Syrjala scoring Jordan Sherman and Victor Diaz. Adam Purdy also tripled to score RJ Bortle.
The Cardinals used their pitching staff by committee with Logan Fleming earning the win in relief.
Game 2 – CUAA 11, UMD 4
The Cardinal carried over the momentum from game one scoring 3 runs in the first two innings. A Victor Diaz single in the first inning led to Adam Purdy scoring after he reached on an error to start the game.
Caleb Chamberlain and Preston Sherman scored in the second inning to increase the Cardinals lead, 3-0.
Chris Lowe singled in the fourth inning scoring Vann Acker and Preston Sherman extending the Cardinals lead, 5-2. Lowe eventually scored the Cardinals sixth run on a Wolverines error.
The Wolverines got a run back in the top of the fifth inning. Acker continued his efficient day at the plate with a double in the bottom of the fifth to score Preston Sherman. Acker eventually scored on a Wolverines error. Diaz added an RBI on a single to score Purdy.
The Cardinals added two runs on three hits in the sixth inning and eventually completing the sweep
Brendan Lyons started for the Cardinals and earned his first win of the season. Lyons went four innings and allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on three hits. He also struck out three and only allowed one walk.
The Cardinals will resume WHAC play this weekend with two series in Grand Rapids. The Cardinals will play Cornerstone on Saturday in a double header. They will make the trip across town and play Aquinas on Sunday.