LISLE, ILL. – In a season finale that matched the intensity and grit of the entire 2026 campaign, the Concordia University Chicago Cougars battled until the final out in a high-scoring showdown against Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) Raiders. Behind historic performances and an explosive start at the plate, the Cougars built an early lead and refused to back down despite multiple Raider rallies. Although CUC's comeback effort ultimately came up short in a 15-13 thriller, the Cougars closed the year showcasing the resilience, firepower, and senior leadership that fueled one of the program's most memorable seasons in recent years.
INSIDE THE BOX
- Jake Mahler (Vernon Hills, Ill.) led the way going four-for-six at the plate with five RBIs. The senior had a star-studded finale as he launched his 16th home run this season, tying for second in Cougar history for single-season home runs.
- Cam Buckley (New Lenox, Ill.) went four-for-five at the plate with two RBIs while collecting a double and a stolen base in the game.
- Richie Sperando (Darien, Ill.) went two-for-four at the plate with two runs of his own while dominating in the field.
- Five Cougars dished on the mound in Dylan Scott (Bartlett, Ill.), Kyle Ston (Winfield, Ill.), Josh Prosise (Joliet, Ill.), Anthony Pullano (Park Ridge, Ill.), and Kyle Connelly (New Lenox, Ill.) all combining for three strikeouts while trying to rally for the Cougars.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Buckley led things off for the Cougars driving a single out to center on the second pitch he saw. Mahler took advantage of the base runner and launched an early home run out of the park to put the Cougars on the board first, securing his final home run of the season. A hard-fought walk for Brandon Mahler (Vernon Hills, Ill.) would put a runner on base before the inning ended with the 2-0 advantage for the Cougars.
- The Raiders would tack one run on in the bottom of the first, but the Cougars would have an answer right away. A leadoff double for Jack Linko (New Lenox, Ill.) would put one runner on before he would reach third on a wild pitch. An error would allow Jeffery Beckert (Mount Prospect, Ill.) to get on base before a balk would move the runners around and put CUC ahead 3-0.
- After forcing a pitching change, the Buckley would pick up a double that would score two and put the Cougars ahead 5-1. A single from J.Mahler would extend the lead out to 6-1 heading into the bottom of the second.
- The Raiders would tack one run on in the bottom of the second, but the Cougars would be unable to answer back until the top of the fourth where a walk for Buckley and a single for J. Mahler would score one. B. Mahler would be intentionally walked and put runners on first and second, but CUC would be unable to capitalize on it and head to the bottom of the fourth with the 7-2 lead.
- The Raiders would have a field day in the bottom of the fourth, taking the 12-7 lead after putting up 10 hits on four hits and leaving the Cougars trailing for the first time of the day. CUC would answer back slowly with one run off hits from Sperando, Buckley, and Brendan Holloway (Vernon Hills, Ill.), before a quick four batter inning would send them back behind their bats.
- A leadoff double for B. Mahler would put one runner on, while an infield groundout from Connor Jerkatis (New Lenox, Ill.) would score B. Mahler and chip away at their deficit.
- The Raiders would put two runs on in the bottom of the sixth, but CUC would steal them right back in the top of the seventh after hits from Beckert, Sperando, and J. Mahler. B. Mahler would take his second intentional walk of the game and put runners on first and second. Runners would be stranded, but the Cougars would hold all momentum. A scoreless bottom of the seventh and top of the eighth would leave MSOE with the 14-11 lead before they would tack anothe ron and force the Cougars to play offense in the top of the ninth. A single for Buckley paired with a triple for Holoway would put one run on and another in scoring position for J. Mahler to send one to the right side of the field and give time for the run to score. Unable to rally with two outs, the Cougars would fall 15-13.
HIGHLIGHTS
UP NEXT
This concludes the 2026 Cougar Baseball season where CUC finished with a record of 24-19 and a NACC record of 17-7. The season saw the first playoff wins for the Cougars since the 2019 season and a long list of impactful seniors. They'll look to build on the momentum of the year in the offseason and come back swinging in the new year. Updates and offseason details can be found at cucougars.com and on X and Instagram @CUCBaseball.
