Early Deficits Lead To Defeats

MOORHEAD, Minn. (4/17/18)---Concordia got behind early in both games against Gustavus, couldn't dig their way out in the late innings and lost 7-1 and 5-3 in the 2018 home opener played at Jake Christiansen Stadium.

The two losses extend the Cobbers' winless skid. Concordia hasn't won in the last 11 games and is now 4-18 overall and 0-8 in the MIAC. The Gusties are now 6-14 in all games and 2-4 in conference games.   

Concordia gave up single runs in the second and fourth innings in the opener. Gustavus was then able to plate three runs in the sixth frame to take a 5-0 lead.

The Cobbers scored their only run of the game in the seventh inning when Madi Veith smashed a two-out double down the left field line and then came home on an error by the shortstop.

Concordia was outhit 12-5 in the first game. Brooke Ankerfelt and Taylor Erholtz both went 2-for-3 in the game to lead the Cobber offense.

Abby Haraldson started the game and pitched the first 5.1 innings. She gave up four earned runs and struck out three. Brynn Sundgaard came on in the sixth inning and finished the final 1.3 innings. She only gave up one hit.

Concordia fell behind 3-0 in the second game before finding their offense. The Cobbers gave up two runs in the first and then a single run in the fourth.

The Cobbers started their rally in the bottom of the fourth when Brooke Swarthout singled home Riley Bergstrom from second base after Bergstrom singled to lead off the inning.

Concordia scored two more times in the sixth inning to get to within a single run at 4-3. Cora Zackrison started the inning with a walk. She then scored on the next at-bat when Bergstrom doubled to right center field. Bergstrom would come around to score when Swarthout singled up the middle with two outs in the inning.

The Cobbers had five hits in the finale. Bergstrom and Swarthout were both 2-for-3 and Swarthout had two RBI. Megan Gavin had the other hit for CC when she singled to left field in the fifth.

Sundgaard stayed in the circle for the entire second game. She only gave up three earned runs on eight hits and struck out two batters.

RILEY RULES: Riley Bergstrom recorded her second multiple-hit game in the last three contests. Bergstrom is 4-for-6 in her last three games and has upped her season average to .292.

DEFENSIVE STRUGGLES: Concordia committed three errors in each game against the Gusties. The Cobbers have committed at least two errors in six of the last eight games – all MIAC games. CC has 41 errors this season and has a 93.4% fielding percentage. The 41 miscues are tied for eighth most in the MIAC.

WHAT'S NEXT: Concordia will continue with their three conference doubleheaders in three days when they host St. Olaf on Wednesday at 3 p.m. The Oles are 13-11 overall and 3-5 in the MIAC.