Offensive Saturday

MOORHEAD, Minn. (5/01/21)---Fans of offensive baseball got their money's worth in the Cobbers' doubleheader with Bethel on Saturday. The two teams combined to score 45 runs and collect 56 hits in the two games.

Concordia found their run-scoring parade in the second game when they scored 12 runs on 14 hits and beat the Royals 12-5. The first game was all Bethel as they scored 24 runs on 27 hits to claim a 24-4 victory.

The split moves the Cobbers' record to 7-8 in the MIAC and 13-12 in all games. Concordia is in seventh place in the league standings. The Royals are one spot ahead of the Cobbers. They are 11-10 in conference play and 17-14 overall.      

Concordia's four runs in the opener came in 2-run segments. Andy Gravdahl hit a ball over the batter's eye in center field in the first inning. His long-distance shot scored Thomas Horan who singled earlier in the inning.

Gravdahl drove in the Cobbers' third run in the third inning with a ground ball out with Matt Gruber on third. Sean McGuire then lofted a sacrifice fly to center field that plated Horan.

Concordia led 6-3 in the ninth inning of Game 2 and then scored six times to earn the win.

Gruber and Horan were responsible for most of the damage. They combined to go 6-for-10 and drove in seven of the team's 12 runs. Gruber was 4-for-6 with two RBI and Horan was 2-for-4 with five RBI. He also connected on his second home run of the year wen he hit a 3-run long ball in the ninth inning.

Gravdahl also went deep for the second time on the day. He clouted a solo shot in the third inning.

Sophomore Ashwin Stratton earned the win for the Cobbers. He started, went the first 6.0 innings and sonly allowed two earned runs. He struck out four to record his first collegiate win.

UP NEXT: Concordia will travel to Arden Hills to finish off their 3-game series on the Royals on Monday, May 3 at 4 p.m.