(Owensboro, KY) – Concordia Baseball traveled to the Bluegrass State for a mid-week three game series against Brescia University. The Cardinals entered the series with a 4-6 record overall while the Bearcats entered with a 1-9 record. CUAA rattled off three wins in the sweep against Brescia on Tuesday and Wednesday to extend their winning streak to 4 games.  

Game 1

Tyson Kleinfelter got the starting nod for the Cardinals in their first game against the Bearcats. Brescia struck first in the scoring column by punching in a run in the 1^st inning. After that, Kleinfelter settled in for the next four innings and finished with only giving up one run on three hits while adding 5 strikeouts.

The Cardinals' bats caught fire in the 3^rd inning where they rattled off 6 runs courtesy of a bases-clearing, 3 RBI double from Dylan Steinke. This was followed by an RBI double from Grant Steinborn, a Bearcat error that added an additional run, and an RBI single from Preston Sherman.

CUAA kept the bats alive in the 5^th and 6^th innings by adding 5 more insurance runs thanks to a 2 RBI single from Preston Sherman, sacrifice fly from Chris Lowe to drive in a run, an RBI triple from Dylan Steinke's great game, and wild pitch from Brescia.

Brendan Lyons wrapped up the final two innings on the bump for the Cardinals by only walking one batter and sitting the rest down in order to give the Cardinals the 11-1 victory.

Game 2

Jacob Henry took to the hill for the second game on Tuesday afternoon and started off hot for the Cardinals by not allowing any runs through three innings of work. The Bearcats finally started to jump on Cardinals after a few fielding errors in the fourth inning by being able to drive in three runs before Henry was able to work his way out of the inning. He would later earn the win to improve to 2-0 on the season while only allowing 2 hits, 3 runs (0 earned), 2 walks, and punching out 6.

Prior to Brescia entering the scoring column, the Cardinals had already given their pitching staff a 9 run lead to work with after their offensive half of the 4^th inning. Grant Steinborn drove in Victor Diaz to start the game for the Cardinals. CUAA unloaded their offense in the 3^rd inning starting with an RBI single from Dylan Steinke, followed by a fielding error and two wild pitches to drive in three runs, a Calvin Syrjala RBI single, and a patient at-bat for Victor Diaz to walk in a run with the bases loaded. Calvin Syrjala would add another RBI to his tally after a sacrifice fly in the 4^th innings followed by Adam Purdy joining the action in the unselfish play of and sacrifice fly as well to drive in another run.

The Cardinal's bullpen featured Caden Flanery coming in for one inning of work by sitting the Bearcats down in order with one strikeout. Kenneth Rozmys made on appearance as well in an inning of work by only allowing one hit. Finishing off the game for the Cardinals was Jack Vrba who gave up one run on one hit in the final inning and ringing in a 9-4 Cardinals win.

Game 3

Billy Blair kicked off the game for the Cardinals by pitching the opening frame and allowing one run on 4 walks with no hits. The Cardinals trailed 1-0 until the 5^th inning where Victor Diaz was able to drive in a Preston Sherman to tie the game. However, Brescia was fighting hard to avoid the 3-game sweep against the Cardinals and drove in two runs in the 5^th inning to take a 3-2 lead.

The Cardinals took control of the game in the 7^th inning by ringing in 5 runs on a Victor Diaz RBI single, Dylan Steinke RBI double, RBI single from Grant Steinborn, and a wild pitch from Brescia to bring in another Cardinal win. The Bearcats would make it 6-3 in the bottom of the inning. The Cardinals added 2 more runs in the 8^th inning on two more Brescia errors.

Ryan Abenth put in 3.2 innings of work for the Cardinals by striking out 3, walking 1, and giving up 2 runs on 4 hits. Brandon Decker pitched 3.1 innings of work and struck out 5 Bearcats, and giving up 1 run on 1 hit and earning his first win on the season to bring his season record to 1-1. Alex Phillips finished the game for the Cardinals and struck out 2 after giving up 2 runs on 3 hits and earning the Cardinals a 8-6 victory and sweep over Brescia.

The Cardinals will be in action later this week as they travel back to the hills of Kentucky for a four game series against Thomas More. All games are scheduled to be 7-inning matchups that take place at Thomas More Field in Crestview Hills, Kentucky.