Leither, Kolstad And Gavin Step Up In Split With Macalester

DUNDAS, Minn. (4/23/22)---Kenzie Leither and Valerie Kolstad had hits in each game of the Cobber's doubleheader against Macalester, and Megan Gavin factored in both decisions as Concordia split with the Scots in a twinbill that was played in the Dundas Dome in Dundas, Minn.

Leither singled, and scored the only run of the game, in the Cobbers' 1-0 win in Game 1. Kolstad went 2=for-3 with a pair of RBI in the second game, but it wasn't enough as CC fell 7-6.

The victory in the opener was the Cobbers' first league win of the year. CC is now 7-17 overall and 1-9 in the MIAC. Macalester moves to 13-19 in all games and 7-9 in league play.

The only run of the opener was scored in the very first at-bat. Leither came through with a 1-out single up the middle and then stole second base. She advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on a ground out off the bat of Emma Redlin.

The one run was all that Gavin would need in Game 1. She allowed only three hits, didn't give up more than one hit in an inning and didn't concede an extra-base hit. Gavin also didn't allow a runner to get past second base as she struck out nine.

Kolstad had the only other hit for the Cobbers in the opener when she singles to left field in the fifth frame.

Concordia carried the momentum from the win in the first game over to the opening frame of the second contest. CC scored five runs in the first inning to take an early 5-0 lead. The Cobbers scored the five runs on three hits and were helped by a pair of Scot errors. Concordia had a pair of 2-run hits in the inning. Karissa Finnigan came through with a 2-run single with one out, and then Kolstad plated two runs with a 2-out base knock up the middle.

Macalester would chip away at the 5-run deficit by scoring a single run in the first, two more in the second, and took the lead with a 3-run fourth frame.

Concordia wasted little time in tying the contest. Kate Wensloff led off the inning with a walk, and then advance to third on Redlin's double to right field. She eventually scored on a passed ball. Redlin was stranded at third base after moving up with only one out.            

The Scots won the game in the bottom of the seventh without the help of a base hit. Their leadoff hitter walked and then moved up second on a wild pitch. She would take third base on a ground out, and score on a second wild pitch.

Both teams had six hits in the finale. Kolstad went 2-for-3, while Leither, Redlin, Finnigan and Landry Maragos had one hit each. Leither has now hit safely in three straight games.

Finnigan started the game in the circle for CC. She went 2.0 innings and allowed only two hits, but gave up two runs. Vanessa Ramos went the next 1.1 frames before giving way to Gavin in the fourth inning.

FIRST FRAME INFO: Concordia scored in the first inning in both games. They have now scored in the first inning in seven games this season and have outscored their opponents 13-12 in the opening inning of games.

UP NEXT: The Cobbers will stay in the Cities overnight and then face St. Catherine in St. Paul on Sunday, Apr. 24 at 1 p.m.