March 8, 2015 -Â Modeling the perfect example of a Getaway Day game, the Concordia-Chicago Cougars and the Fitchburg State Falcons played a snappy 1:55 game this morning with strong performances by the two starting pitchers dominating play. The Cougars eventually prevailed as a run in the top of the ninth enabled them to win 3-2 and finish their week-long Florida trip at 5-3.
The Cougars quickly gained the upper hand as Steve Zubrzycki (McHenry, IL/Marian Central Catholic) hit the third pitch of the game back up the middle for a base hit. The speedy lead-off man took second on a wild pitch and came aroud to score on infield outs by Mitch Wilson (Oswego, IL/H.S.) and Carlos Olavarria (Rosemont, IL/East Leyden). Southpaw C.J. Selner (Milwaukee, WI/Milwaukee Lutheran) made his second start of the trip and shut down the Falcons on one hit through the first two innings. However, an error with one out in the third allowed FSU a baserunner, and he scored the unearned tally with two out on a double to right by Mike St. John. The middle innings saw both pitchers, Selner and FSU's Ryan Magni, dispatch the hitters in quick fashion. However, the Cougars squeezed out a run in the sixth to regain the lead at 2-1. With one out, Wilson struck out but reached base as strike three was in the dirt and got away from the catcher. Wilson moved to second on a passed ball and to third on an infield single by Olavarria. Joe Silva (Arlington Heights, IL/Hersey) then got the run home as his bunt was good enough that the pitcher's only play was at first. Selner exited the game after seven innings, having thrown 104 pitches. His line read one unearned run on four hits and two walks against three strikeouts. Kurt Kempema (Schaumburg, IL/H.S.) came in and retired the first out, but the next batter walked on a close 3-1 pitch. Falcons' cleanup hitter Brendan Cutler then came to bat and stung the first pitch deep to leftffield. The hit went for a double as the tying run came around to score. A single put runners on the corners, but Kempema bore down and retired the next two batters on a foul to first base and a 3-1 grounder.
Magni was still on the mound as CUC came to bat in the ninth. Gier worked a one-out walk and was replaced by pinch-runner Kevin Garvey (Brookfield, IL/Riverside-Brookfield). It took just a few pitches before Garvey took off for second. He not only beat the throw but also made third base as the catcher's throw got away into short centerfield. The suspense grew as Magni wsa able to get the second out on a strikeout. But, with Rich Santarelli (Homer Glen, IL/Chicago Christian) at the plate, an 0-1 pitch sailed outside and past the catcher. The ball bounced around the backstop as Garvey raced home with the go-ahead run.
Given the lead back, Kempema made quick work of the Falcons in the ninth. He set down the side in order, getting the final out on an easy pop-up to third base.
Calling his team "battle tested," CUC head coach Adam Smith observed that "we faced some very good pitchers and very tough teams this week. We're seeing that everyone is bringing their top efforts against us, and we have to be ready to meet it every day. I think that 5-3 is a good result for this week, all things considered, and we look forward to another challenging road trip next weekend."
The Cougars will fly to Tucson, Arizona for four games next weekend including games against second-ranked University of St. Thomas (MN) on Friday night and eighth-ranked Linfield College on Saturday afternoon.
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