MONTGOMERY, Ill. – The Concordia University Chicago (CUC) baseball team took on Aurora University, for a Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference (NACC) double header this afternoon. The Cougars snapped an 11-game win drought against the Spartans, picking up their first win against Aurora in 2019, 2-1. In game two, CUC went out to an early lead but ultimately fell 3-1. The Cougars are now 16-11, 7-5 NACC.
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Game One
Inside the Box
- Tyler Krater (Phoenix, Ariz.) was the lone Cougar with multiple hits, going two-for-four at the plate.
- Richie Sperando (Darien, Ill.) and Tyler Dorsch (Phoenix, Ariz.) each recorded an RBI single.
- Ryan Renella (Bartlett, Ill.) was CUC's starting pitcher, throwing for six innings with three strikeouts and one run. Bryce Jones (Ottawa, Ill.) came in for the seventh, pitching two innings with two hits and two strikeouts, getting the win on the mound. Kadin Borck (McHenry, Ill.) closed out the final inning, securing the save.
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How It Happened
- With the first four innings remaining scoreless, Elijah Hickman (Rensselaer, Ind.) led off the fifth with a huge triple out to right field. The Cougars next two batters struck out and grounded out, putting the Cougars in a tight spot. However, Sperando stepped up to the plate, and hit one straight down the middle to capitalized on Hickman's triple and take a 1-0 lead.
- The Spartans were able to take advantage of a Cougar error and tie the game at 1-1 I the bottom of the sixth.
- The teams remained in a stalemate until the ninth inning. Back-to-back singles from Cam Buckley (New Lenox, Ill.) and Jack Linko (New Lenox, Ill.) put the Cougars in a strong position with one out. The next Cougar up to bat was Dorsch, who hit an RBI single to score Buckley and take a 2-1 lead.
- In the bottom of the ninth, Borck went three up, three down as Krater and Hickman helped deny the Spartans any opportunity, as the Cougars won 2-1.
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Highlights
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Game Two
Inside the Box
- Dorsch had a day at the plate, going three-for-four, scoring a solo home run.
- Michael Kasik (Chandler, Ariz.) went one-for-four, while Yashion Boswell (Lynwood, Ill.) and Buckley went one-for-three at the plate.
- Dylan Ferraro (Windsor, Colo.) and Linko worked the mound in game two.
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How It Happened
- Dorsch had a hot bat to start the game, leading off with a solo home run to left field.
- However, the Spartans were able to tie the game up in the second inning.
- The Cougars struggled offensively, and Aurora managed to take a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning.
- The Spartans were able to tack another run on in the eighth and take the game 3-1.
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Highlights
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What's Next
The Cougars' next double header will be Saturday April 10 in Fond du Lac, Wis. The Cougars play Marian University at 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm.
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