(Ann Arbor, MI) Concordia Baseball took to the diamond Saturday afternoon for a matchup between the top two teams in the WHAC. The Cardinals played host to the Racers from UNOH and split the first half of the four-game series, walking off game one, and coming up short in game two.
Game 1: Concordia 4 – UNOH 3
Bryon Mane started on the bump for the Cardinals and went four innings for the Cardinals, giving up just three earned runs. Mane left the game with it tied a 3-3, so the win went to Kenneth (Dave) Rozmys who pitched a clean three innings to close out the game. Both Cardinal pitchers struck out three Racers.
Neither team got on the board until the third inning when a bases loaded fielder's choice gave UNOH the 1-0 lead. The Cardinals responded in the ensuing half inning when Logan Hylek hit a bases clearing triple to make it 3-1. UNOH tied it up a 3-3 in the top of the fourth.
With a new pitcher on the mound for the Racers, the Cardinals rallied in the bottom of the seventh. Josh Burke led off with a double, and then Drew Fleming was intentionally walked. After Logan Hylek advanced the runners on a groundout, Tyler Wressel was intentionally walked to load the bases. Justin Kozlowski stepped up to the plate and laid down a bunt which scored Burke from third for the win. This was Concordia's third walk off win in as many home games, and the second coming from Kozlowski.
⚾️ANOTHER WALKOFF⚾️
— Concordia Cardinals (@CUAACardinals) April 20, 2024
For the third straight home game @CUAABaseball walks it off for the win!#GoCards pic.twitter.com/0p13dWmoKw
Game 2: Concordia 3 – UNOH 10
Both starting pitchers went five innings without giving up a run. Ethan Pollard spun 5.1 innings for the Cardinals, and held the game scoreless until a two-run home run in the sixth. Evan Jaisak came in to relieve Pollard and a series of errors followed by a three-run home run gave UNOH a 7-0 lead. Logan Fleming closed out the game with 2.2 innings of scoreless baseball, only allowing one walk and no hits.
The Cardinals chipped away at the deficit, when a Tyler Lawson fielder's choice scored Jake Kuhlman in the seventh. An inning later, Drew Fleming cranked a solo shot and Jake Kuhlman had an RBI single to make it 10-3, which is where the game finished.
The teams will round out the series with another doubleheader tomorrow. First pitch is set for 1:00 PM at Cardinal Field.
