A 1-Run Saturday

AUBURNDALE, Fla. (03/11.23)---It was a 1-run Saturday for the Cobbers in their third straight doubleheader in Florida. Unfortunately for Concordia, both 1-run decisions went again then as they lost 4-3 and 3-2 to Farmingdale State (N.Y.).

The first game was decided by 2-run innings, while the second game was won in the bottom of the seventh inning.

The two losses brings the Cobbers' season record to 2-6. Farmingdale State is now 4-2.

Matt Gruber and Thomas Horan led the offense on Saturday as both players had hits in both games. On the other side of the ball, starting pitchers Ashwin Stratton and Bergen Bauman both had quality outings.

The day couldn't have started any better for Concordia as they scored twice in the opening inning. Isaac Henkemeyer-Howe singled home Jake Christianson after Christianson reached on an infield error. Wyatt Gunkel then came up with a 2-out single to left field to score Horan which gave CC a 2-0 lead.

Farmingdale came up with the next 2-run frames. They scored twice in each of the second and fourth innings to grab a 4-2 lead.

The Cobbers got a run back in the bottom of the fifth when Horan doubled to right field that scored Max Boran from second base after Boran was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning.

Concordia's best opportunity to tie the game came in the bottom of the seventh. Senior Canaan Fagerland was beaned to start the inning. Freshman Carter Thielke pinch ran for Fagerland and was thrown out at 2nd base on a 1-out fielder's choice ground out off the bat of Andy Gravdahl. Gravdahl stole second, but was stranded there when the Cobbers struck out to end the game.

The Cobbers were outhit 13-5 in the opener. CC had five players with a single hit in the game.

Stratton went the distance on the mound. He allowed four earned runs and was given his first loss of the year.

The second game was settled in the bottom of the seventh, when Rams scored two runs to overcome a 2-1 deficit.

Both teams scored a single run in the first frame. Concordia got off to a fast start for the second straight game when Gruber led off with a double, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a sacrifice bunt from Horan.

The Cobbers scored their only other run of the game when Horan led off the fourth with the only other hit of the game for CC. He laced a triple down the right field line and scored on Henkemeyer-Howe's sacrifice fly to center field.

The 2-1 lead would hold up until the bottom of the seventh when the Rams scored twice after their first three batters reached base.

Bauman pitched the first 4.1 innings and only allowed two hits and two earned runs, while striking out two.

Gruber was 2-for-6 on the day, while Horan was 2-for-4 and drove in a pair of runs. Both hitters are batting over .300 for the year. Gruber has a .318 mark, and Horan checks in at .308.  

UP NEXT: Concordia will have a day off before squaring off against Loras on Monday, Mar. 13 at 8:45 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.