McGuire + 4-Run Eighth = Morris Sweep

MOORHEAD, Minn. (3/27/21)---Concordia broke open a 5-5 tie by scoring four runs in the bottom of the eighth and beat Minn.-Morris 9-5. The win is the second for the Cobbers over the Cougars in three days.

Concordia never trailed in the game as they built leads of 2-0, 4-2 and 5-3 only to have Morris respond with game-tying innings. The Cobbers made sure there would be no time for a response with their 5-run eighth frame. Junior pitcher Matt Gruber held the Cougars off the board in the eighth and ninth innings to record the win.

The Cobbers belted out 11 hits in the game, four of which came off the bat of Sean McGuire who went 4-for-5 and had the dreaded 2-triple game. McGuire was one of four CC players in the Top 6 of the lineup to have multiple-hit games. Andy Gravdahl went 2-for-4 and scored two runs from his leadoff spot. Ben Swanson was 2-for-5 with an RBI No.3 and Gruber was 2-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI in the cleanup position.

Concordia won the game in the eighth inning when they score four runs on four hits and sent nine men to the plate. All four runs were scored after there were two outs. Gruber and McGuire produced run-scoring singles and Mitch Porter came through with a 2-run double.

Sophomore pitcher Ashwin Stratton started his second game of the week and went the first 3.0 innings. He only allowed two hits and didn't give up a run. Nathan Leitner and Luke Levasseur followed Stratton and both went 2.0 innings to set the stage for Gruber. Gruber allowed two hits over his 2.0 innings and struck out two to earn his second win of the season.

HAVE A WEEK 7: McGuire capped off a pretty good week at the plate. He hit .700 in the team's three games and had a hit in each game. McGuire recorded seven total hits and three walks and upped his batting average to .550 for the year. McGuire leads the MIAC in on-base percentage and is second in batting average. McGuire has reached base safely in all seven Concordia games this season. 

STRATTON SETTLES IN: Stratton pitched in all three Cobber games during the week and didn't allow a run in 6.0 innings. He struck out five in his 6.0 innings pitched and only allowed four hits. Stratton has pitched in 9.0 innings this year and owns a 2.00 ERA.   

UP NEXT: Concordia is scheduled to host Valley City State on Wednesday, Mar. 31 at 3 p.m. in a single 9-inning game. That will be the last game before the Cobbers open MIAC play by playing Hamline on Apr. 2-3.

RECAP SPONSOR: Today's recap sponsor RDO Equipment. Thanks to RDO Equipment for their long-time support of Cobber athletics.