Two-Out Big Innings Cost Cobbers

MOORHEAD, Minn. (4/28/17)---Concordia finished off its non-conference season by dropping a pair of games at MSU Moorhead.

The Cobbers got home runs from Nicole Johannes in the first game and Sydney Roberts in the second but it wasn't enough as Concordia fell 11-2, 9-1 to the Dragons. Both games ended after five innings.

Concordia has been bitten by the big-inning bug all season long and it stayed the same across 8th street. The Cobbers gave up a six-run and a four-run frame in the opener and then an eight-run inning in the finale.

Not only did the big-inning cost Concordia but it was runs with two outs that proved to be the difference. MSUM scored 17 of their 20 runs on the day after there were two outs in an inning. The Dragons hit .640 with two outs in the two games. They were 7-for-11 (.636) in the first game and 9-for-14 (.643) in the finale.

The teams were tied after one inning in the opener but then MSU Moorhead opened the scoring with a six-run second inning. All six of the runs came when there were two outs in the frame. The Dragons then finished off the game with four runs in the bottom of the fourth.

The highlight for the Cobber offense came in the top of the fifth when Johannes hammered a one-out pitch over the right center field fence which scored Madi Veith from second base. Veith reached on an error and then stole second base.

Concordia battled the Dragons until the bottom of the fourth of the second game. Cobber starting pitcher Kelly Riordan held MSUM to one run and four hits over the first three innings of play.     

MSU Moorhead (11-34) scored their single run in the second and then the Cobbers tied the game in the top of the fourth. Roberts waited on a fastball and hit a line drive over the center field fence.

BACK-TO-BACK JACKS: The home runs by Nicole Johannes and Sydney Roberts marked the second time this season that Concordia has hit a home run in each half of a doubleheader. The Cobbers hit a home run in each game of their DH with St. Benedict on Apr. 1. Roberts had both long balls against the Blazers.

TOP 5 LONG BALL CREW: Robert's fifth long ball of the year moves her into the Top 5 of the MIAC in long balls. She is now tied for third in home runs in the conference.

TWO-YEAR TEAR: Roberts now has 12 home runs in the past two seasons. That is the most long balls by any player in the MIAC during that time frame.  

COBBER CAREER HOME RUN LIST: Roberts' long ball moves her in to a tie for second place on the school's all-time home list. She is now tied with Heidi Mueller who had 12 long balls from 1996-99. Kaia Sele is the school's all-timer leader with 21 home runs.
1. Kaia Sele (2010-13) – 21
T2. Sydney Roberts (2016-17) – 12
T2. Heidi Mueller (1996-99) – 12
T4. Amanda Johnson (2005-08) – 11
T4. Kesley Jones (2009-12) – 11
T6. Emily Jensen (2007-09) – 10
T6. Maddie Haroldson (2007-10) - 10       

WHAT'S NEXT: Concordia will finish off their season when they host St. Mary's on Saturday, Apr. 29 at 11 a.m. The Cardinals are 11-24 overall and 5-14 in the MIAC. SMU split with Carleton on Friday.