A Terrific 2-Game Pitching Duel

MOORHEAD, Minn. (4/11/22)--- Fans that came to see high-level collegiate pitching got their money's worth on Monday in the Cobbers' doubleheader with Bethel. Concordia's Megan Gavin and the Royals' Kayla Simacek pitched all 28 half innings, combined to strike out 46 batters and only allowed three earned runs.

Not only did the two games feature two of the top pitchers in the MIAC, it also had one of the most dramatic endings of the year. Concordia trailed 3-0 in the bottom of the seventh in Game 1 and proceeded to load the bases. Molly Wilde then came through with a double into left field. The Cobbers had their runners on third and second score easily on the play, but the potential game-tying run was thrown out at home plate after trying to score from first base.

The Cobbers allowed the only run of the second game in the sixth inning and dropped a pair of 1-run decisions to league-leading Bethel 3-2 and 1-0.

The Royals, who entered the day on a 14-game win streak, scored all three of their runs in the opener in the fifth inning.

Gavin cruised through the first 4.0 innings of Game 1. She didn't allow a hit and fanned 10 batters. She got into trouble with one out in the fifth as BU scored all three runs with two outs in the frame.

Gavin then retired six of the next nine batters to finish off her 14-K performance. She didn't allow an earned run and gave up only five hits.

Concordia had four hits in Game 1, with three of those coming in the seventh inning.

Kate Wensloff, Emma Redlin, Ellie Tofteland and Wilde all had a hit for CC. Wilde had the big double in the seventh that scored the two Cobber runs.

Gavin returned to the mound in Game 2 and only allowed one hit through the first four innings. She worked out of a jam in the fifth, after the Royals had runners on first and second with only one out.

Gavin finished the second game with seven strikeouts. She allowed the only earned run of the day and gave up five hits.

The Cobbers' best offensive chance came in the third when they put runners on second and third with two outs, but couldn't come up with the key 2-out hit.

Concordia had four hits in the finale, and like the opener, they had different players record one hit each. Redlin and Wilde both got a hit to pick up base knocks in both games. They were joined by Rosie Unglaub and Drew Syverson who both had singles in the game.

UP NEXT: Concordia is scheduled to hit the road for the next three doubleheaders. The Cobbers will open that 6-game stretch when they play at Augsburg on Wednesday, Apr. 13 at 3:30 p.m.