The Concordia University, Nebraska baseball team dropped two close one run losses, dropping game one 13-12 and falling 5-4 in game two, to the University of Sioux Falls Cougars Saturday night at Memorial Field of Plum Creek Park in Seward, Neb.
In a series where Concordia played a rare away game in Seward, Neb. since the home field of the University of Sioux Falls was unplayable. The Bulldogs looked to be cruising when they exploded for nine runs on nine base hits to take a commanding 12-3 lead going to the bottom of the fifth inning. Sioux Falls would then score ten unanswered runs off starter sophomore Jacob Shaffer and reliever freshman Peyton McLauchan to steal the 13-12 victory.
Concordia was lead offensively by junior Casey Rodriguez and sophomore Matt Specht, who each had three hits apiece for the Bulldog offense that saw every starter notch at least one base hit. Shaffer was tagged with the loss for the Concordia, giving up 13 runs (seven earned) on 12 hits and seven walks, while striking out five.
In Game two the Bulldogs were able to capitalize on three Cougars errors to push across four runs but the Bulldogs would not be able to hold on as Sioux Falls would score four runs in the fourth and fifth innings to take the 5-4 victory.
Concordia starter sophomore John Couch was dominating the Sioux Falls hitters through four innings, surrendering two runs on only four base hits but the bottom would fall out in the fifth. After retiring the lead off hitter couch allowed a single but the base runner Cody Minich would be sat down as he tried to steal second and was thrown out by senior Catcher Marcus Nathan.
Then with two outs Sioux Falls was able to string together four straight singles with a walk sandwiched in between to push across three runs giving Sioux Falls a 5-4 advantage.
Concordia tried to respond in the top of the seventh but after a Rodriguez single, Sioux Falls went to closer Brandon Compton who slammed the door shut on the Bulldogs striking out sophomore centerfielder Nate Schmoll to end the game.
The Bulldogs were led offensively by Nathan going 2-for-3 with two RBI's while Rodriguez again went for multiple hits also going 2-for-3. Couch suffered the loss for the Bulldogs on the mount surrendering five runs (four earned) on eight hits.
Concordia will next head to Yankton, S.D. for a 3 p.m. double header against Mount Marty on Sunday afternoon before returning to Seward, Neb. for a Tuesday double header against York College.
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score