Box Scores - Game 1, Game 2
FOND DU LAC, Wis. (SabreAthletics.com) – Nine defensive miscues plagued the Marian University baseball team as it was swept in a Northern Athletics Conference doubleheader at the hands of Concordia University Chicago, 9-2 and 5-1, at Herr-Baker Field this afternoon, April 22.
The Cougars dominated in every facet, using strong starting pitching and timely hitting. The Sabres, on the other hand, struggled to get much going offensively and strong starting pitching was spoiled by defensive miscues that led to six unearned runs on the day.
Concordia Chicago improves to 25-8 overall, 12-4 in the NAC, while the Sabres fall for the sixth straight time, dropping to 14-16 (7-9 NAC).
In game one, the Sabres fell behind 8-0 before scoring their only two runs of the contest in the bottom of the eighth inning on a
Josh Gruenke double and an
Anthony Porcaro RBI single.
The Cougars, however, took an early lead with an unearned run in the first inning off starting pitching,
Mitchell Gardner. The senior right-hander was strong most of the day, pitching into the eighth inning. The big three-run eighth was the back-breaker and eventually spelled him of a quality start as well.
Brett Barger came on and pitched the final inning and a third very effectively. The Cougars just proved too strong to overcome.
In game two,
Cory Martin showed a lot of what carried him to a victory over Edgewood the week before with five and two-thirds innings of solid work. He allowed four runs (2 earned) on 10 hits in the loss.
CUC scored the game's first run in the top of the second, an unearned tally that could have been avoided. After firing two more zeros, Martin couldn't slow down the Cougar offensive attack any longer as they strung together a three-run inning on four hits and a walk.
Brandon Winfield would come on for the final three and a third innings and allow just one unearned run in the eighth inning. The Sabres answered with a run of their own in the bottom half, but ended up leaving runners on the corners to end the inning. In all, the Sabres left 10 runners on base in game two after stranding five in the first game of the doubleheader.
Marian will play host to non-conference foe, Ripon College, this Wednesday, April 25. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m. at Herr-Baker Field.
