Similar 5-Run, Early-Game Deficits Lead To Losses At Augsburg

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (4/15/23)---Concordia fell behind by five runs in the start of each game of their doubleheader against Augsburg and lost 5-3 and 5-1.

The Cobbers had their comeback fall two runs shots in the opener as they fell behind 5-0, but then rallied to get to 5-3 in the sixth inning and lost by the same score. Concordia dug a similar 5-run hole in Game 2, but could only manage one run on one hit and lost 5-1.

The highlights of the day came from Molly Wilde at the plate and relievers Vanessa Ramos and Mallory Leitner in the circle. Wilde went 3-for-3 in Game 1 and drove in one of the three runs in the contest. Both Ramos and Leitner came through with scoreless 3-inning stints in relief of the Cobber starters.

Concordia's comeback in the opener started in the fourth inning when Hailey Pangracs legged out an infield single that scored Gabby Brown after Brown doubled to left-center field.

The Cobbers would make it a 5-2 game in the fifth on another infield single. Wilde led off the inning with a double and advanced to third on a ground out. She came home when Kailee Falconer beat out a hit to second base.

The final run of the game for CC came in the sixth when Wilde came through with a 2-out single that plated Pangracs who had reached on a fielder's choice.

Concordia had 11 hits in the first game. Besides the three from Wilde, Pangracs, Falconer and Brown had 2-hit games, as the four players combined for 9 of the team's 11 base knocks.

Karissa Finnigan started the game for Concordia, and then Ramos pitched the final three frames. She only allowed three hits and struck out three as she kept the Auggies from furthering their lead.          

Augsburg (17-11, 3-7 MIAC) notched a single run in the first inning of the finale, and then recorded 2-run frames in the second and third.

The Cobbers' lone run came in the sixth when Ellie Tofteland walked with the bases loaded to score Falconer after Falconer walked to open the inning.

Lauren Staples went the first 4.0 innings in the circle for CC. She gave way to Leitner in the fifth, and Leitner went the final 3.0 innings without giving up a run or a hit.

UP NEXT: Concordia will head to St. Peter for a midweek DH against Gustavus on Wednesday, Apr. 17 at 4 p.m.