(Adrian, MI) Concordia Baseball went to Adrian on Wednesday afternoon to face off with the Saints of Siena Heights in a non conference doubleheader matchup. The Cardinals would hold on for a narrow 9-8 victory before running away with a 14-5 win in the nightcap.
Game 1: Concordia 9 - Siena Heights 8
Bryon Mane got the start on the bump for the Cardinals and was dominant, allowing just one run on one hit through four innings. Blake Weaver came on for the sixth and seventh innings, and closed out the game allowing no runs to continue his stellar season.
Derek Hebner got things started in the first inning with a triple to right center that scored Jake Kuhlman. Tyler Wressel followed that up with a groundout to score pinch runner Tyler Lawson to put CUAA up 2-0. In the third inning Justin Kozlowski doubled to score Lawson, and Gus Simon homered to score himself and Kozlowski. Siena Heights responded in the bottom of the third with a Brock Olmstead RBI single, making the score 5-1 after three.
The Cardinals quickly responded as Jake Kuhlman tripled to score Matthew Dubrick. Josh Burke then punched a single through the infield to score Kuhlman. Siena Heights hit an RBI double in the bottom of the fifth inning to bring the score to 7-2. An inside-the-park home run from Jake Kuhlman to score himself and Harrison Ryan in the top of the sixth inning brought the score to 9-2.
The Saints would start a rally in the bottom of the sixth inning. Three RBI hits and a Cardinal error brought the score to 9-8 before Blake Weaver was able to shut the door and keep the lead at one for CUAA heading into the seventh inning. The Saints were able to get the tying run to third base, but a fly out ended the game and Weaver earned his second save of the season.
Game 2: Concordia 14 - Michigan-Dearborn 5
The Cardinals got out to another early lead this game, scoring four runs in the top of the first inning. A two-RBI triple from Josh Burke to score Tyler Lawson and Jake Kuhlman got things started. RBI singles from Wressel and Simon brought the score to 4-0. In the bottom of the first inning the Saints would respond. They were able to score five runs thanks to an RBI triple, RBI single, and two hit-by-pitches with the bases loaded. That brought in reliever Landen Harris who went 4.1 innings pitched only allowing 1 hit and striking out an impressive nine Saints.
The Cardinals would respond in the top of the fourth inning to take the lead with Matthew Dubrick scoring on a passed ball and Tyler Wressel bringing home Derek Hebner on an RBI double. They would score again on a sacrifice bunt from Harrison Ryan to score Gus Simon and give them a 7-5 lead after five innings. Trey Acker came on in the sixth inning and gave the Cardinals the zero they needed heading into the final inning of the day. A pinch hit three run home run from Clayton McKinstry, the first of his career, gave the Cardinals a huge 10-5 lead and sparked a rally for CUAA. Burke then doubled to score two more and a home run from Tyler Wressel put the Cardinals up 14-5. CUAA gave the ball to Kenneth (Dave) Rozmys for the second time today and he closed the game on a 1-2-3 inning including two strikeouts. The appearance gave Dave the all time appearances record in CUAA history!
The Cardinals are back in action at home this Saturday as Cornerstone comes to town for a WHAC doubleheader beginning at 1pm!
