Louisville, KY. – Looking to rebound after a ninth inning loss last night, the Concordia University Chicago Baseball team responded in a big way today. They used six runs over the first four innings of game one to cruise to a 10-2 win over UW-Platteville to open the day. They then closed the weekend scoring 15 runs over the last four innings, including nine in the ninth to comeback and defeat Spalding 17-9.
Game 1 vs. UW-Platteville
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Five players recorded multiple hits and four players drove in multiple runs for CUC.
- Jose Mercado stole two more bases to bring his total to four on the season.
- Cade Laudenschlager picked up the win working three innings of relief.
- CUC pitching allowed just one earned run while striking out 13 and walking just three.
The Cougars got the offense rolling in the first. Mercado led things off with a bunt single, and promptly moved to second on a wild pitch.
Keegan Tyrell followed with a double to right to plate the opening run. A single and a sac fly later
Connor Brandon made it 3-0 CUC with a double to right.
CUC made it 4-0 in the third. With one out
Brody Mariotti walked and stole second. One out later
Abelardo Paz Agudelo doubled to left for the first hit of his CUC career. The Cougars added on two more in the fourth on four walks and a hit by pitch.
After UW-Platteville scratched one across in the bottom of the fifth, CUC quickly answered in the next half inning. A Mercado single and stolen base put the speedy senior in scoring position with two outs. Bryan Van Duser then stepped up with a single to left to make it 7-1 Cougars.
CUC made it 8-1 in the seventh when
Jacob Frank was brought around to score on a
Brayden Benavides double to right center.
Platteville got a run across on two hits in the seventh, but CUC responded again with two in the eighth. Brandon singled to score VanDuser and a Paz single through the right side made it 10-2 CUC.
Alex Crinigan started on the hill for CUC going four innings and striking out eight in his CUC debut. Laudenschlager picked up the win working three innings of relief.
Zach Litke and
Mike Tobin both worked scoreless innings as well.
Game two vs. Spalding
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- CUC had three hit performances by Frank and Mateo Calle as CUC recorded 17 hits on the night.
- Frank drove in a game high four runs.
- Brandon and Mariotti both launched their first homers of the season.
- Mercado hit the go-ahead three run triple to open the scoring in the ninth.
- Noah Dressler picked up the win working five innings of relief.
The Cougars found themselves in a 4-0 hole early as Spalding brought across three runs on two hits and an error in the first and one run on two hits in the third.
CUC broke through in the fourth.
Justin Rodriguez reached on a walk to get a runner on. With two outs back-to-back doubles by Frank and Benavides pulled CUC back within two.
Spalding responded by putting up a run in the fourth and three in the fifth to take an 8-2 lead.
CUC began the rally in the sixth. Calle started it by bringing home Brandon who reached on a double to begin the inning. The Cougars then pulled within two in the seventh when Brandon launched a no doubt three run homer to left.
The Cougars then tied it in the eighth. Hits by Mercado and Tyrell put two in scoring position with no outs. A sac fly to left then tied the game at eight.
CUC made a statement in the ninth batting around the order. The inning began with two straight singles by Rodriguez and Calle. One out and a walk later the bases were loaded for Mercado. The senior ripped a three run triple to right center to give CUC the lead for good.
The Cougars continued to add on in the inning though. Tyrell singled through the left side to score Mercado. Mariotti then delivered a big swing by driving his first homerun of the season over the right center field wall. CUC added three more in the inning to take a 17-8 lead. Spalding brought one across in the ninth, but the big damage had been done as CUC picked up their second win of the season.
The Cougars will now ready for their annual spring break trip to Florida. They will play six games over eight days, beginning a week from today against Amhurst. Live Stats and audio will be available for every game of the trip.
