(Kansas City, MO) - Concordia baseball faced #10 seed Columbia International University in an elimination game on Tuesday, day three of the NCCAA World Series. The Cardinals battled hard but were unable to erase a deficit in a 9-7 loss. 

Owen Johnson started on the mound going three innings with 2 strikeouts.  Shortly into the first inning, the contest was delayed for almost two hours due to weather. CIU took a 4-0 lead after the second inning. 

The Cardinals responded with 3 runs in the third inning, starting with Jake Kuhlman using an RBI single to score Tyler Lawson.  Kuhlman reached home on an error and Logan Hylek used a sacrifice bunt to drive in Harrison Ryan.  

Logan Fleming came on to pitch in the fourth inning, throwing 2.1 innings with a strikeout.  CIU scored 2 more runs in the fourth to extend their lead.  

Fleming and Evan Jasiak combined to pitch the sixth inning.  The Rams added 3 more runs for a 9-3 lead.

The Cardinals looked to rally again with a 4-run seventh inning.  Drew Fleming, Logan Hylek, and Curtis Townsend all hit RBI singles to each drive in a run.  Aaron West added an RBI groundout to score Hylek and trim the deficit to 9-7. 

Kenneth (Dave) Rozmys pitched the last two innings with 2 strikeouts.  Justin Kozlowski recorded a key out in the bottom of the seventh inning running out to left field to make the catch.  

Rozmys continued to hold Columbia International University to no more runs.  However, the Cardinals were unable to mount a comeback and fell 9-7.