March 9, 2011 - Prior to today's game against Wesleyan University of Connecticut, the Concordia Cougars' run production was not far off its pace of the last two seasons when they averaged nine runs per game. This afternoon, the Cougars produced with a vengeance. Concordia pounded out 17 hits including homeruns by Ryan Pacyga (Forest Park. IL/Nazareth Academy) and Nick Skala (Long Grove, IL/St. Viator) to propel a 20-3 rout.

 

Wesleyan entered today's action with some gaudy offensive numbers themselves, but Concordia freshman Dan Kluss (Niles, IL/Niles West) was effective in slowing down the Cardinals' hitters and getting the big outs when they were most needed. Kluss pitched the complete seven innings in earning his first collegiate win. He allowed three earned runs on seven hits while striking out five.

 

The Cougars gave Kluss an early lead when Robert Weis (Oak Creek, WI/H.S.) drew a one-out walk and scored ahead of Skala's homer, a deep blast to right-center. The homer was the first for the Cougars this season.

 

Wesleyan scratched a run across in the bottom of the first, but Concordia went back to work in the second. Consecutive one-out singles by Shawn Miller (Pleasant Prairie, WI/Tremper), Eric Ignatowski (Carol Stream, IL/Glenbard North) and Weis plated one run. Skala then hit a slow dribbler down the third base line. The pitcher's only play was at first base as Ignatowski crossed the plate to make the score 4-1 Cougars.

 

The Cardinals kept it close with a run in the third. Both teams scored a run in the fourth with the Cougars' tally coming on Miller's shot off the pitcher's leg. That smash scored Dan Eichholzer (Elwood, IL/Joliet Township) who had led off with a single and moved up to third on a wild pitch and an errant pickoff attempt.

 

With the score at 5-3, the Cougars put some major distance between themselves and their opponent with a nine-run fifth inning. Cam Stephens' (Rosemont, IL/East Leyden) third double in the last two days got things rolling. Derek Binninger (Pleasant Prairie, WI/Tremper) followed with a double that scored Thomas Gier (Fox Lake, IL/Grant) and Stephens. Later in the inning, Eichholzer and Miller executed a double steal for a run, and Weis singled home Miller for a 10-3 lead. Skala was hit by a pitch, loading the bases for Pacyga. The Cougars' sophomore transfer picked on the first pitch and hit a towering drive to left that hooked towards the pole but stayed well enough fair for the slam.

 

Concordia added a run in the sixth on Stephens' leadoff triple and Miller's sacrifice fly. A five-run seventh put an exclamation point on the victory. Pacyga's infield single scored a run, giving him five RBIs on the day. Miller's two-run double wrapped up a 3-3 day with two runs, three RBIs and two stolen bases for the centerfielder.

 

The Cougars will face the College of New Jersey Thursday afternoon in a rematch of Monday's exciting contest in which Concordia scored three in the top of the ninth for a 5-3 victory.