March 2, 2014 - The old adage, "good things come to those who wait," paid off for the Concordia University Chicago baseball team today. Getting outdoors for the first time in 2014, the Cougars began the new season with a 7-3 win over Morningside College of Iowa.

The Cougars were understandably anxious to get the new season underway, and their patience was put to the test a little longer as the start of today's game was pushed back 90 minutes. Rains had buffeted the Tucson area for the previous 48 hours, and extra time was needed to prepare the field at the Kino Sports Complex. But once the game got underway, the Cougars got down to business right away.

Dan Eichholzer (Elwood, IL/Joliet West) singled past the third baseman to lead off the game. The senior then showed what the Cougars look to be about this year as he swiped second and third bases. Steve Zubrzycki (McHenry, IL/Marian Central Catholic) drew a walk. Newcomer Carlos Olavarria (Rosemont, IL/East Leyden) then made his Cougar debut with a sharp line single to right, Eichholzer trotting across the plate with the Cougars' first run of the season. Concordia went looking for more, but a double play would prevent them from doing more damage in the inning.

Southpaw C.J. Selner (Milwaukee, WI/Milwaukee Lutheran) took the mound in the bottom of the first. The Mustangs would come back with two runs as they worked the count against Selner and produced some effective at-bats. A walk and two singles accounted for the first run, and Cole Halgerson's sacrifice fly gave Morningside a 2-1 lead after one.

The Cougars did not trail for long. After one out, Rich Santarelli (Homer Glen, IL/Chicago Christian) and Colin Bethran (Schaumburg, IL/H.S.) drew walks off Mustangs' starter Derek Frahm. One out later, Zubrzycki singled between third and short as Santarelli scored the tying run. With Olavarria at the plate, Bethran took off for third base. The catcher's throw was high and sailed down the line as Bethran came across to give CUC the 3-2 lead.

The score would remain that way until the top of the fifth. Eichholzer cracked a double into the leftfield corner. He moved up on a wild pitch and scored on Zubrzycki's grounder to the shortstop.

Concordia's speed helped break open the game in the sixth with a three-spot. Bethran looped a single into center after the first two hitters were retired. Bethran stole second and third as Eichholzer worked a full count before taking a walk. Zubrzycki then reached as the shortstop bobbled his ground ball, Bethran crossing the plate. Olavarria then hit a rocket which ticked off the third baseman's glove and continued down the line. The double scored Eichholzer and Zubrzycki and gave the Cougars a 7-2 lead.

"Colin and Danny can make a lot of things happen, and they were able to really put the pressure on Morningside today," said Smith.

Selner finished out the bottom of the sixth and left the game after 93 pitches. He allowed just the two first-inning runs on two hits, walking two while striking out six. "C.J. told me that he was nervous about today's start, but he did a nice job settling down after that first inning," said Smith.

Robert Lock (Chicago, IL/St. Ignatius) took the mound for the seventh. Morningside would touch him for an unearned run with two out. Kevin Pawell (Kenosha, WI/Bradford) came in with two runners aboard and got the Mustangs' number three batter A.J. Staiert to fly to center, ending the threat and keeping the score at 7-3. Pawell went on to pitch the eighth and ninth innings, earning the save. The Mustangs did put two men aboard in the ninth, but Pawell got Staiert to hit into a 4-6-3 double play to close it out.

Concordia will return to action on Monday when they take on St. Mary's University of Minnesota. The first pitch will take place at noon Chicago time with Eric Palmer (Melrose Park, IL/West Leyden) making his mound debut for the Cougars.