Cobbers Finish Off 3-Game Series In Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. (3/16/24)---Concordia dropped the final two games of their 3-game series at Neb. Wesleyan. The Cobbers lost 2-1 in the opener on Saturday and then fell 10-6 in Game 2.

Concordia is now 3-11 on the year, while the Prairie Wolves even their overall record at 7-7.

Game 1: Concordia 1, Neb. Wesleyan 2
Concordia wasn't able to produce a hit in the first game but nearly came away with a win. The Cobbers gave up a single run in the fourth inning and then tied the game in the top of the fifth. Nick Pederson walked to start the inning and advanced to second when Zack Ehnstrom laid down a sacrifice bunt. Justin Kloster walked and then both runners moved up a base when Jake Christianson grounded out to second base. Pederson scored on a passed ball and the game was tied at 1-1.

The Cobbers best chance to take the lead came in the sixth when Kloster walked with two outs and then stole his second base of the year to get into scoring position. He was stranded after an inning-ending strikeout.
 
Neb. Wesleyan won the game in their last at-bat for the second straight game. They opened the seventh with a double to right center and claimed the win with a 2-out single to deep shortstop.

Freshman Ben Trutwin went the first 4.0 innings on the mound. He allowed one run and six hits and struck out a pair of NWU hitters. His 4-inning outing dropped his ERA to a team-leading 3.46. He also leads the Cobbers in innings pitched (13.0) and strikeouts (18).

Ethan Beyer finished off the final 2.2 innings and conceded one run on two hits and struck out three.

Game 2: Concordia 6, Neb. Wesleyan 10
While the first game was a low-scoring, pitcher's contest, the second game was an offensive showcase with 16 runs and 23 hits.

The Prairie Wolves were able to take a 5-0 lead after the first four innings before the Cobbers outscored NWU 6-5 in the final five innings of play.

The big inning for Concordia came in the top of the ninth when CC scored four runs on three hits. Isaac Henkemeyer-Howe drove in the first two runs with a single to right field. His base knock brought home Drew Dorsey, who led off the inning by getting beaned, and brother David Dorsey who also got hit by a pitch.

The other two runs were plated when Dylan Gertken doubled to right field and Kloster lofted a sacrifice fly to left field.

Concordia had 10 hits in the finale. Gertken, who entered the game hitless in four at-bats, went 4-for-5 with an RBI and a double. He was the only CC player with more than one hit in the game.

J Riley Ohm came through with his first collegiate and Ryan Kloster recorded his second hit of the season.

Jacoby Nold, Kyle Cluff and Grant Anderson combined to pitch all 8.0 innings for CC.

UP NEXT: Concordia will open MIAC play when they face St. Olaf in Northfield on Saturday, Mar. 30.