Multiple-Run Innings Rule Season Opener

AUBURNDALE, Fla. (02/27/22)---Big innings rules the season opener for Concordia in their game with St. Mary's in Florida. The Cobbers and Cardinals recorded five different half innings with at least three runs as Concordia dropped a 14-10 decision.

The game, which was a rematch of the MIAC playoff game from 2021, featured three different lead changes due to big innings with the last being posted by St. Mary's when they broke open a 10-10 tie with four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning.

The teams combined for 24 runs and 25 hits in the first game of the 2022 season. Concordia outhit the Cardinals 15-10 for the 9-inning game.

Concordia's big-run innings came in the fourth and eighth frames. The Cobbers trailed 4-2 heading into the top of the fourth, but then came up with five runs on six hits to take a 7-4 lead. The big run-scoring hits in the frame came from a double by Thomas Horan, a triple from Andy Gravdahl and then a double off the bat of Matt Gruber.

St. Mary's would score four runs in the bottom of the fourth to retake the lead at 8-7. They tacked on two more in the sixth to put the Cobbers in a 3-run hole.

Concordia responded with three runs on three hits in the top of the eighth to tie the game at 10-10. Sophomore Carter Mulcahy and senior Max Boran had the RBI hits in the game-tying rally.

The tie game was short-lived as the Cardinals plated four runs in the bottom of the eighth to push the final score to 14-10.

Horan and Gruber led the Cobber offensive attack. Both players had a game-high three hits. Horan was 3-for-6 with a double from the leadoff position in the order, while Gruber went 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles from the No.3 spot.

Gravdahl had the only multiple-RBI game for CC. He went 2-for-6 and drove in a pair of runs.

Mulcahy, Boran and freshman Jake Christianson all had two hits in the first game of the year. Mulcahy went 2-for-4, while Boran and Christianson were both 2-for-5.

Concordia used four pitchers in the game. Mitch Porter got the start on opening day and went 3.0 innings. He allowed seven hits and struck out three.

Freshman Alex Rudquist had the most success of any CC pitcher. He followed Porter, went 3.0 innings and only allowed one hit and one earned run.

UP NEXT: Concordia will continue with their annual spring trip when they play Milwaukee School of Engineering on Monday, Feb. 28 at 12:30 p.m.