MOORHEAD, Minn. (4/23/16)--- The big-run inning proved to be the downfall for Concordia in their doubleheader against Hamline. The Cobbers had four innings where they gave up three or more runs and lost 6-3, 12-3 to the Pipers.
Playing their first home games since Apr. 3, Concordia gave up three runs in the second inning of the opener and lost 6-3 and then allowed three in the second and four in the third and lost 12-3 in the finale.
The pair of losses end Concordia's three-game win streak. The Cobbers drop two games under .500 in conference play and are now in eighth place in the league standings. CC is 5-7 in the MIAC and 15-14 in all games. Hamline jumps into third place in the conference at 8-4. The Pipers are now 18-10 overall.
The first game looked like it was headed for a 15-14 final. Hamline opened the scoring with a run in the top of the first and then the Cobbers took their only lead of the day with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning.
Concordia put their first three batters on base and Phil Kuball scored on a ground ball off the bat of Tim Carlson. Jordan Domine then singled home Chad Johnson to give Concordia a 2-1 lead.
Hamline countered with three runs on a three-run, two-out double and never trailed for the rest of the afternoon.
The Cobbers only had one more hit after the first inning in Game 1. Trailing 6-2, Concordia loaded the bases in the sixth inning with only one out but could only get one across and left the bases loaded. CC wound up stranding seven runners on base in the opener.
Cobber sophomore starter Tanner Kluis battled through the first few innings but then cruised late in the game. He retired the final nine hitters he faced and didn't allow an HU runner past first base after the fourth inning. He pitched a complete game, allowed eight hits and struck out two.
The second game was more big innings for the Pipers. They jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the third inning and then added two more in the fourth after Concordia had cut the lead to 7-3.
The Cobbers scored all of their runs in the third inning when they connected on three hits and sent eight hitters to the plate. Carlson singled home the first run and then Aaron Green laced a single through the left side of the infield which plated the final two runs for CC.
Concordia finished with nine hits in the second game. Carlson led the way with a 3-for-4 performance while Alex Sandahl went 2-for-3.
The Cobbers used four pitchers in the game. Cole Christensen got the start and last the first 2.1 innings. Carlson pitched the bulk of Game 2 by going 4.2 innings and only allowing one earned run. Ryan Heisler relieved Carlson to pitch the eighth and then Adam Nibaur hurled a 1-2-3 ninth inning.
WHAT'S NEXT
Concordia will stay at home and host Gustavus on Tuesday, Apr. 26 at 1 p.m. The game time for the opener was moved up from the original 2:30 start.
