Worth The Wait

ST. PETER, Minn. (4/27/21)---It was worth the wait for the Cobbers in their lightning-delayed game at league-leading Gustavus. The start of the 7-inning game was delayed for almost an hour due to a lightning storm and then there was another hour-long delay in the sixth inning before the teams played into the 11th inning and Concordia prevailed with a 5-4 victory.

The extra-inning is a huge lift for the Cobbers' playoff push. CC has now won three of their last four games and is 12-11 overall and 6-7 in league play. They are currently in seventh place, and only 1.0 games behind sixth place for the final playoff spot. Gustavus has their 3-game win streak come to an end and loses for only the second time in the last 16 games. GAC is now 18-3 overall and 13-3 in the MIAC.

Concordia not only had to wait on the weather but they had to wait on their offense to come around and rally from behind. The Cobbers erased deficits of 3-0 and then 4-3 in their fourth conference road win of the year.

The Cobbers got a stellar pitching performance from sophomore Luke Levasseur who held the conference's top hitting team scoreless in five innings. He came on in the sixth inning with the game tied at 4-4 and didn't leave until the bottom of the 11th with CC holding a 5-4 advantage. Levasseur earned the win in the game which was his first of the year and second collegiate victory. He also lowered his season ERA to 3.86. 

Concordia ace Ty Syverson was used in the closer role on Tuesday and pitched a hitless 11th to pick up his first save of the year.

The game didn't start well for Concordia. After having to wait out the lightning delay, the Cobbers quickly fell behind 3-0 in the bottom of the first.

CC would hold the Gusties to the three runs until they were able to tie the score at 3-3 in the top of the fourth. Sean McGuire led off with his third home run of the year. The Cobbers were then helped out by three walks in the inning. Mason Penske brought home Ben Swanson on a single after Swanson walked and then Justin Kloster scored on a passed ball after Kloster got on board via the free pass.

Gustavus would edge back in front with a single run in the bottom of the fifth before the second delay came.

Concordia would then tie the game for the second time in the top of the sixth when Toby Sayles walked and then scored on a 2-out error.

Levasseur then worked his magic and held Gustavus off the board for 5.0 innings. He only allowed three hits but worked out of jams with runners on second base in four of the five frames he pitched.

The Cobbers won the game in the 11th when Matt Gruber was beaned to lead off the inning. He advanced to second on a Thomas Horan sacrifice bunt. Gravdahl then beat out an infield single to second base which sent Gruber to third before McGuire came through with the game-winning sacrifice fly.

Concordia had seven hits in the game with Gravdahl, McGuire and Penske posting 2-hit games each.

Sophomores Gabe Duncan and Ashwin Stratton pitched the first five innings of the game. Duncan got the start and settled down after the rocky first frame. He went 4.0 innings and only allowed one hit in his final 3.0 innings of action.

UP NEXT: Concordia will return home and host Bethel in a pivotal MIAC doubleheader on Saturday, May 1 at 1 p.m. The Royals are the team in sixth place in the league standings – one game ahead of the Cobbers.                  

RECAP SPONSOR: Today's recap sponsor is Bell Bank. Cobber athletics would like to thank Bell Bank for their long-time support of Concordia student/athletes.