Game 2 Offensive Explosion Not Enough Against Bethel

MOORHEAD, Minn. (4/20/24)---Concordia scored an MIAC-best seven runs in its second game with Bethel but it wasn't enough as the Cobbers fell 14-2 and 15-7 in a conference doubleheader.

The seven runs scored by CC in Game 2 eclipsed their previous season-high total in an MIAC game which was six runs when they played at Macalester. The Cobbers pounded out 12 hits in the finale which is also the most against a league opponent this year and third most in all games.

Game 1: Concordia 2, Bethel 14 (5 innings)
The Cobbers started slowly on the sunny, crisp day. Bethel was able to score a single run in the first inning and then five in the second to sprint out to a 6-0 lead.

Concordia scored its runs in the game when they plated a run in the fourth and another in the fifth. First-year infielder Jocelyn Maki singled home Kailee Falconer in the fourth after Falconer drew a leadoff walk.

Jillian Martinez scored the run in the fifth for the Cobbers. She got on base with a 1-out walk, advanced to second when Rosie Unglaub walked, moved up to third when Falconer singled to right field and came home on an infield single from Lauren Staples.

The Cobbers had four hits in the first game with Staples collecting a pair of base knocks.

Game 2: Concordia 7, Bethel 15
The second game appeared to get off to the same start as the first with the Royals breaking out to an early lead. Concordia quickly erased the 2-0 deficit in the bottom of the first when Kailee Falconer and Emma Bowman went deep with back-to-back homers to tie the game. It was the first collegiate home run for both Falconer and Bowman.

Concordia would also put up 2-run innings in the third and sixth innings. Another long ball produced both runs in the third when Kate Gulbranson hit a 2-run blast over the left-field fence. It was Gulbranson's first yard shot of the season and third of her career. Maki came home on the round-tripper after she led off the frame with a double. The two runs for CC cut the deficit to 7-5.

Gulbranson and Karissa Finnigan came through with RBI singles in the sixth inning. Martinez and Bowman scored the Cobbers' sixth and seventh innings.

Concordia had four players with double-digit hit totals in the second game. Bowman led CC by going 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored.

Finnigan, Maki and Gulbranson all had 2-hit games. Gulbranson had a season-high three RBI.    

UP NEXT: Concordia will host St. Mary's on Sunday, Apr. 21 at 1 p.m.