Hit Parade Comes To A Standstill

WEST ST. PAUL, Minn. (3/19/14)—Concordia watched as Tuesday's hit parade came to a standstill and the multiple-run innings were nowhere to be found in a pair of losses to Finlandia and Presentation. The Cobbers gave up five runs in the final two innings against the Lions and lost 7-3 in the opener before being blanked 9-0 in five innings against the Saints.

Concordia is now 4-9 on the season as they head into the outdoor section of the northern part of their schedule.

The first game against Finlandia was deadlocked at 2-2 entering the top of the sixth and that is when the Lions struck for two runs in the sixth and three more in the seventh to earn the four-run win.

Concordia took a 1-0 lead in the opener in the first inning when Jenna Esala walked to bring home Kellie Morehouse from third. The Cobbers would give up two runs in the top of the fifth before tying the score at 2-2 with another single run in the bottom of the frame. Paige Beseman's single to center field scored Madison Little from second after Little reached on an error.

The Cobbers were outhit 10-4 in the first game. Little, Beseman, JoAnna Carlson and Mackenzie Jensen all had one hit in the contest. Junior Hilary Rotunda pitched all seven innings and gave up only two earned runs as CC had a pair of critical errors. She struck out two in her seventh start of the year. She is now 2-5 in 2014.

The Cobbers were never able to get on track against Presentation, gave up three long balls to the Saints and lost 9-0 in a game shortened by the five-run rule.

Concordia fell behind early as Presentation scored three runs in the first and two more in the second. The big blow in the opening frames was a two-run home run. The long ball would play a big part in the Saints' four-run fourth as the knocked two over the fence which accounted for all four scores.   

Concordia was only able to come up with a single base hit in the second game. Freshmen Dominique Giesen was 1-for-2 in the game. She had a single that advanced Ashley Tibbetts to second with no outs in the frame.  CC eventually had runner s on second and third with one out after a successful sacrifice from Esala but was unable to get Tibbetts and Giesen home.

Carlson started in the circle for the Cobbers and pitched four innings. She allowed 11 hits and struck out one batter in picking up her fourth loss of the season.

Concordia will hopefully host UM-Morris in a doubleheader on Friday, Mar. 28 beginning at 3:30 p.m.