RIVER FOREST, ILL. – In their last matchup before hitting conference play, the Concordia University Chicago Cougars took on the Wheaton Thunder, falling 7-1.

Inside the Box

• Elijah Hickman (Rensselaer, Ind.) led the Cougar offense going two-for-two at the plate picking up a season-high two hits.
• Garry Maynard (Oswego, Ill.) drove in the lone run of the game off his lone hit of the night.
• Julio Cajigas (Romeoville, Ill.) made his first appearance on the mound in the maroon and gold, pitching two complete innings while grabbing one strikeout on 11 at bats.

With Chandler Kerr (Lockport, Ill.) on the bump for the Cougars to start off, a clean first two innings would turn things back over to the Cougar offense, eventually striking first. In the top of the third, with the Thunder on their third pitcher, the Cougars kicked things off with a single through the left side from Hickman. A follow-up single to the right side from Christian Jacob (Scottsdale, Ariz.) would move Hickman into scoring position. Another ball through the left side from Maynard would send Hickman home and put the Cougars up 1-0 in the top of the third.
 
As the Thunder kicked things into high-gear, a massive four-run inning would put them ahead without looking in the rearview mirror. In the bottom of the fourth, with Cajigas still working on the mound, a quick three batters would keep the score stagnant for another inning. Despite a sprinkle of hits throughout the remainder of the game, the Cougars were unable to convert ultimately falling 7-1.
 
The Cougars will be back in action on Saturday as they kick off conference play against St. Norbert with first pitch at noon. Coverage can be found at cucougars.com/coverage.