(Lewiston, ID) Concordia Baseball played in their first ever NAIA Opening Round game Monday afternoon in a tilt against the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma. It was a back-and-forth affair, with the lead changing five times, but the Cardinals came away victorious over the Drovers, 11-7. The Cardinals will now play the winner of the Hope International and Lewis-State College on Tuesday at 7:00 PM ET.
Tyson Kleinfelter started on the hill for the Cardinals and pitched five innings, only allowing 3 runs while striking out two in the no decision.
The Cardinals drew first blood after Drew Fleming plated Aaron West with an RBI double in the top of the third. Tyson Kleinfelter worked his way out of a jam in the bottom of the third, stranding a pair.
In the bottom of the fourth the Drovers scored three runs to take the lead, but the Cardinals stormed back to reclaim the lead in the top of the sixth. Curtis Townsend drove in the first two runs with a single through the right side before John Markiewicz laid down the safety squeeze to bring home Jarrett Batanian to give the Cardinals the lead. The Cardinals scored another run on an error to go up by three.
Evan Jasiak came in for Kleinfelter in the sixth inning and allowed four runs as USAO regained the lead. Peyton McDowall hit a bases clearing triple off of the batter's eye to put the Drovers on top.
The Drovers didn't stay on top for long, as the Jarrett Batanian smacked a two-run shot over the right field fence for the fifth lead change of the game in the top of the seventh.
Trey Acker came in to pitch for 1.1 innings, only allowing a pair of baserunners. Aaron West and Kyle Hebner tacked on insurance runs with singles in the top of the ninth to improve the Concordia advantage to four.
Drew Fleming closed out the game for the Cardinals, recording the final five outs for the save. Evan Jasiak was credited the win for Concordia.
Next up for the Cardinals will be a game against the winner of Hope International and Lewis-Clark State. First pitch is set for 7:00 PM ET.
