A Dramatic Playoff-Saving Conference Sweep

MOORHEAD, Minn. (4/29/12)—All season long Concordia has searched for the timely hit in key conference-game situations.  The Cobbers finally found what they were looking for on Sunday against Hamline as they pulled off a pair of one-run wins to stay in contention in the MIAC playoff race.  

Concordia staged a one-out rally in the bottom of the seventh inning to tie the opener and then won the game 3-2 in the ninth inning. The Cobbers followed that dramatic win by pushing across the game-winning run with two outs in the sixth inning to win the second game 2-1.

Concordia is now 18-16 in all games and 9-7 in the MIAC. The two wins push the Cobbers into third place in the league standings. CC is one game clear of a pair of teams tied for fourth place. The top four teams make the conference postseason tournament.   

Pitching ruled the day as a strong wind blew in from the outfield. Cobber senior Zach Frappier pitched the entire 9.0 innings in the opener and earned his fourth win of the year. He allowed only one earned run, five hits and struck out four. He has only allowed one earned run in his last 16.0 innings of work and dropped his ERA to 2.05. Shawn Krueger picked up where Frappier left off and pitched 6.0 innings in the nightcap and only allowed one earned run. He left in the seventh inning and freshman Bryce Feia came on in the seventh and closed the door after the Pipers loaded the bases with only one out. Krueger upped his season record to 4-2 and Feia earned his second collegiate save.

Hamline (15-21/5-11 MIAC) took a 2-1 lead in the first game after scoring single runs in the third and fifth innings. The Cobbers staged a dramatic rally in the seventh. After the CC leadoff hitter grounded out, Zach Hinkemeyer and Jordan Doschadis singled. The pair moved up one base on a balk and then Brad Olson was hit by a pitch. With the bases loaded, Concordia's top hitter Braden Rahman appeared to hit a tailor-made double-made ground ball to second base. The Piper middle infield combination made the initial out at second but then the shortstop somehow stumbled on second base and was unable to make the throw to first to complete the double play. Hinkemeyer scored on the play to tie the game at 2-2.

Neither team threatened in the eighth and then after a 1-2-3 top of the ninth, Concordia plated the winning run when Brad Olson singled home Hinkemeyer from second after Hinkemeyer reached first after striking out and having the pitch get away from the catcher. Hinkemeyer then stole second base and came around with the winning run.

Concordia outhit the Pipers 6-5. Doschadis was the only player on either team with more than one hit. He went 2-for-5.

The second game was also a pitcher's duel. Concordia scored a single run in the second and then Hamline answered in the fifth. The Cobbers scored the winning run with two outs in the sixth when Doschadis was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Kyle Kramer scored the game-winning run after he singled with one out.

CC also held a one-hit advantage in the second game. Concordia had eight hits as compared to seven for HU. Brad Olson was 2-for-4 to lead the Cobbers.

Concordia will little time to celebrate as they will turn around and host league-leading St. Thomas on Monday, Apr. 30 at 2:30 p.m.