Beseman Gets Something Better

MOORHEAD, Minn. (3/31/12)—Paige Besemanconnected on her first two collegiate home runs, including a game-winning grand slam, to help Concordia sweep Carleton 7-1, 7-4 on Saturday. The Cobbers have now won three of their first four conference games of the season.
 
Beseman had a two-run homer in the first game but then capped a seven-run comeback in the second game by hitting a one-out grand slam in the fifth inning. ""I was just looking for a base hit and got something better out of it," recalled Beseman. She finished the day 3-for-6 with six RBI.

Concordia fell behind in both games. They trailed 1-0 after the first half inning in the opener and then dug themselves a 4-0 hole in the nightcap. The Cobbers then posted seven unanswered runs in both contests to come away with their third straight sweep over the Knights. "It's a boost for us knowing we can get down in a game and have the tools and weapons to come back," commented Concordia head coach Megan Johnson.

Cobber senior pitcher Kesley Jones picked up the win in both games. She only allowed four hits in the final six innings of game 1 and then came on in relief in the second game to earn her third win of the season. She only allowed one earned run in 12 innings of work. After giving up a pair of hit in the very first inning of the first game she settled down and retired 29 of the final 37 batters she faced and did not give up an extra base hit during that stretch.

Concordia outhit Carleton 12-6 in the opener. The Cobbers tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the first and then scored at least one run in their final four at bats. CC had three players with more than one hit. Joelle Link went 4-for-4 and scored two runs while Kaia Sele was 3-for-4 with two RBI and Kelly Tasky was 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

The second game started slowly for Concordia. They fell behind 4-0, struck out in their first three at-bats and had only one hit in their first nine plate appearances. The Cobbers then adjusted to the new Carleton pitcher and staged a two-out rally in the third inning and never looked back.

"We've been working on adjusting at the plate," said Johnson. "Adjusting to the pitcher, adjusting to the day and even adjusting to the zone the umpire is going to give you."

Concordia (5-12/3-1 MIAC) adjusted to the tune of 10 hits in the final five innings of game 2 and scored seven straight times.

Beseman capped the comeback when she hit her grand slam in the fifth with CC trailing 4-2. Senior catcher Kayla Hendrickson then added an exclamation point when she hit her first home run of the season in the sixth inning.

Carleton (2-17/1-3 MIAC) finished with 10 hits in the second game but only two after the third inning of play. Jocelyn Friedman and Micaela LaRose both went 2-for-3 in the nightcap for the Knights.

Beseman, Sele and Heather Jonasson all had two hits for Concordia in game 2. Sele went 2-for-3 and ended the day at 5-for-7. In the past two doubleheaders she is 10-for-15 with six extra base hits.

Concordia will hit the road for a pair of conference twinbills before the Easter holiday. The Cobbers will play at St. Mary's on Thursday, Apr. 5 and then in St. Peter against Gustavus on Friday, Apr. 6.