Cobbers Drop A Pair To Oles In Start Of Homestand

MOORHEAD, Minn. (4/09/22)---Concordia dropped a pair of home games as they started a 4-game homestand. The Cobbers took an early lead in Game 1 against St. Olaf, but lost 8-2 and then fell 13-1 (5 innings) in the second game of the day played at Jake Christianson Stadium.

Concordia is now 6-12 on the year, and 0-4 in the MIAC, while the Oles move to 7-13 in all games and 2-0 in league contests.

The Cobbers had their only multiple-run inning on the day in the bottom of the first in the opener.

Kenzie Leither layed down a bunt single on the very first at-bat. She was able to advance to third base when the late throw to first, sailed by the first baseman and down the right field line. Kate Wensloff then reached on an error by the shortstop. Wensloff stole second to give CC runners at second and third with no one out. Emma Redlin then hit a ground ball to shortstop. The shortstop fielded the ball and attempted to get Leither at the plate. The throw was late and Leither scored the opened run of the game. Redlin then rounded first and forced a throw back to the shortstop to stop her from gaining second. Wensloff, who had taken third on the initial ground ball, broke for the plate and scored when the catcher couldn't handle the throw home.

The Cobbers held a 2-0 lead after the first, but then the Oles countered with a pair of runs in the second, and then 3-run innings in the third and seventh stanzas.

Concordia was outhit 11-1 in the opener. Leither went 1-for-2 with the lone run scored.

Megan Gavin went the distance in the circle. She struck out 10 and only walked a pair of batters.

The Oles were able to carry the momentum from the first game into the finale. They scored a pair of runs in the first, added a single run in the second and then blew the game open with nine runs in the third.

The Cobbers scored their lone run in the fifth when freshman Aubrey Bjella doubled down the right-field line to score Lexi Burke who led off the inning with a bunt single. The RBI was the first collegiate RBI of Bjell's career. CC had three of their five hits in the game in the seventh frame.

Concordia had five different players with one hit in Game 2. Besides Bjella and Burke, Rosie Unglaub, Karissa Finnigan and Kennedy Cook also came through with base knocks. Unglaub's single in the first inning was her first collegiate hit.

The Cobbers used four different pitchers in the second game. Vanessa Ramos started the game and went 2.0 innings. Finnigan, Rachel Woodley and Josie Steidl all pitched a single inning to close out the contest. Steidl stepped inside the circle for the first time in her college career and threw a scoreless fifth inning.

UP NEXT: Concordia will finish off their 4-game homestand when they host Bethel on Monday, Apr. 11 at 2:00 p.m.