RIVER FOREST, ILL. – Battling through the end of the regular season and a the race for the Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference (NACC) tournament, the Concordia University Chicago Cougars dropped two games to the Rockford Regents.
GAME ONE
INSIDE THE BOX
- Brandon Mahler (Vernon Hills, Ill.) and Jaime Sandoval (Oak Lawn, Ill.) led the offense going three-for-four at the plate with two RBIs each while Sandoval recorded one double on the day.
- Julio Cajigas (Romeoville, Ill.) had himself a day at the plate going three-for-five with one stolen base.
- Garry Maynard (Oswego, Ill), Michael Kasik (Chandler, Ariz.), Tyler Krater (Phoenix, Ariz), and Caleb Anderson (Plainfield, Ill.) each recorded doubles on the day.
- Five Cougars took the mound today as senior Christian Jacob (Scottsdale, Ariz.) secured the start while Bryce Jones (Ottawa, Ill.), Mike Tobin (Hickory Hills, Ill.), Sammy Valdez (Plainfield, Ill.), and Westin Stutzman (Goshen, Ind.) all came into the game in relief.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Regents started out hot as they jumped to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first after picking up three hits off Jacob. The Cougars retaliated by getting a runner in scoring position early in the bottom of the first as Tyler Dorsch (Phoenix, Ariz.) singled up the left side and moved his way around to third off a stolen base and a wild pitch, but the Cougars were unable to capitalize after a double play would end the inning, leaving the Cougars scoreless.
- Another solid outing at the plate for the Regents would put them ahead of the Cougars 4-0 before the Cougars could finally get something on the board. Despite falling behind with two outs to start the inning, a hit-by-pitch from Kasik followed by a single to left field from Cajigas would get a runner in scoring position. A single to the left field corner would allow Kasik to score and cut the Cougar deficit to three-runs.
- A massive fourth inning for the Regents would set the Cougars behind seven-runs before a two RBI double from Maynard would cut into the Regent lead after Sandoval and Sergio Vazquez Jr. (Concord, Calif.) each got on base to start the inning.
- With the Regents picking up their final multi-run inning in the top of the fifth, the Cougars had the momentum shift they needed to start their climb back. Picking up three runs in the bottom of the fifth off hits from Cajigas, Krater, Sadoval, and Anderson the Cougars were able to cut the Regents' lead to five.
- Holding the Regents to one more run in the game, a massive four-run inning in the top of the eighth would put the Cougars right where they needed to be. With two walks to start the inning, a single to right field from Krater would load the bases for Sandoval. Sandoval, taking his own walk to first off hit pitch, would bring the first run of the inning in. With freshman Jake Mahler (Vernon Hills, Ill.) at the plate for the first time of the day, he's send a ball into shallow right field to send his brother B. Mahler across plate and keep the bases loaded for Jacob to take control. A sacrifice fly from Jacob would score Krater and bring the Cougars into double-digits on the day. With bases loaded yet again, Maynard would wear a ball of his back and walk a run in to bring the Cougars within one.
- Holding the Regents scoreless in the top of the ninth, the Cougars needed to put up one run to keep fighting, but fell just short as a fast three up, three down ended the game with the Cougars trailing by one.
HIGHLIGHTS
GAME TWO
INSIDE THE BOX
- Sandoval continued to be a force at the plate going three-for-three.
- Kasik picked up the only two RBIs in the game off a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The standoff of the game began as the two teams remained scoreless for the first two innings. The Regents would strike first in the top of the third where they'd hold onto the lead and build to an eventual 9-0 lead by the top of the seventh.
- The Cougars showed some promise as they were able to pick up seven hits in the game, but unable to capitalize on them they were forced to head into the bottom of the ninth with a nine-run deficit.
- With a runner on base and Kasik at the plate with no outs, a two-run homer would give the Cougars a jump and a glimmer of hope to build a comeback. Three consecutive outs for the Cougars left them unable to make a run and drop the game 9-2.
The Cougars will continue their long stretch to close the regular season as they hit the road tomorrow to take on Marian University in a double header scheduled to start at noon. Coverage cane be found at cucougars.com.
