1 Inning Swings Momentum In DH At Macalester

ST. PAUL, Minn. (4/06/24)---One inning proved to be the turning point in the Cobbers' doubleheader at Macalester. Concordia took a 6-3 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning in Game 1, allowed four runs and lost 7-6. The Scots used that last-inning momentum to post a 4-run second inning in Game 2 and went on to win 11-3.

Multiple-run innings were also a key point in the two games on Saturday. Macalester was able to put up five multi-run frames, while Concordia posted one in the opener and another in the finale.

The two losses drop Concordia's record to 5-15 on the year. CC is 0-4 to start the MIAC season. The Scots are now 16-6 in all games and 3-1 in the conference.

Game 1: Concordia 6, Macalester 7
The Cobbers only trailed twice in the opening game. They held leads of 1-0 and 2-1 before the Scots scored twice in the sixth to take a 3-2 lead. CC would then plate four runners in the top of the seventh before Macalester duplicated the feat to earn the 1-run win.

Concordia jumped out to the early lead when Karissa Finnigan's single with one out in the top of the first brought home Kailee Falconer after Falconer opened the game by getting hit by a pitch.

The Cobbers grabbed a 2-1 lead in the top of the fifth inning. Once again the runner who came around to score got on base via a bean ball. Catcher Morgan Linstad was plunked by a pitch with one out, moved up to second on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a Scot error on the very next batter.

Macalester would score twice in the sixth to set the stage for the dramatic seventh inning. Rosie Unglaub and Linstad came home when Jillian Martinez laced a 1-out single up the middle. Unglaub was a pinch runner for Gabriella Castro, who started the 4-run frame with a 1-out single. Falconer then singles to right field to set up a first-and-third situation. CC then executed the dreaded first-and-third double steal with the Scots throwing the ball into the outfield which allowed Falconer to move up to third. She scored when Emma Bowman lined out to center field.    

The Scots won the game with four runs on five hits in the bottom of the seventh.

Concordia was outhit 13-4 in the opener with four different Cobbers getting base knocks.

Mallory Leitner pitched the opener and went the full 6.2 innings. She struck out three and allowed three walks in the 34 batters she faced.

Game 2: Concordia 3, Macalester 11
Like Game 1, the Cobbers were able to break out to an early lead by scoring in the top of the first. CC scored two of its three runs in the opening frame. Falconer and Finnigan had the two hits in the inning and Danielle Lyon had the lone RBI.

The Cobbers' final run of the finale came in the top of the third after Macalester had taken a 4-2 lead by scoring four times in the second inning.

Once again it was the Falconer/Finnigan combo that came through. Falconer started the frame with a single to left center and then scored on a single to center field off the bat of Finnigan.

The Scots would close out the game with a 3-run fourth inning and then add three more runs in the sixth.

The Cobbers recorded eight hits in Game 2. Finnigan and Falconer combined for five of the eight hits. Finnigan was 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored, while Falconer was 2-for-3 with two runs scored. It was the first 3-hit game of the season for Finnigan and her second career 3-hit contest.

Finnigan also pulled double duty and went the distance in the circle. She pitched 5.2 innings and allowed six earned runs.     

ALL SHE DOES IS HIT
Falconer continued her upward trend at the plate. She went 3-for-6 on the day and hit safely in each game. She continues to lead the Cobbers in hitting. She is now up to a .475 average and has a 1.153 OPS (Slugging Pct. + On-Base Pct.). Falconer has a team-high nine multi-hit games this year and has hit safely in four straight games.     

UP NEXT
Concordia will come home for the first time all season when they host St. Benedict on Tuesday, Apr. 9 at 3:30 p.m.