The Concordia University baseball team took one of the GPAC favorites to the wire in a 7-5 extra inning defeat to Northwestern (Iowa) in game on of a double header at Memorial Field, Plum Creek Park in Seward, Neb.
The game looked to be getting out of hand early as Northwestern (8-7, 2-1 GPAC) scored four runs in the top of the first, after Concordia starter Jacob Schaffer walked the lead off hitter and an error put the Bulldog defense on its heals with the first two batters on base. Northwestern first baseman Jacob Jansen then too the third pitch he saw from Schaffer and deposited it over the right center field fence for the three-run home run. Northwestern would add another run to round out the scoring of the inning.
Concordia (1-16, 0-1 GPAC) got on the scoreboard in the third inning, after Jack Holmberg reached on an error, senior left fielder BJ Juelfs doubled to right field while Holmberg held at third. Junior short stop Benjamin Ahlman then singled to right field to plate the first two runs for the Bulldogs. Concordia added another run in the inning when sophomore Matt Specht beat out a double-play attempt by the Red Raiders allowing Ahlman to score.
After Northwestern added a run in the fourth inning to move their lead to 5-3, Concordia would rally in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game when Northwestern again failed to turn a double play allowing junior Casey Rodriguez to score from third. Juelfs would single in Nate Schmoll to tie the game at 5-5.
The two teams remained in a dead lock until in the ninth inning Schaffer walked the lead off man, Curtis Bomgaars. Freshman Troy Kane would come out of the bullpen in relief and walk the first man he faced, Scott Mineart. After a ground out to Ahlman, Northwestern shortstop Grant Wall hit a high fly ball into centerfield, Bulldog centerfielder Jake Roberts over ran the play allowing the ball to drop in, allowing the two runners to score. The Concordia offense would be held in check in the bottom of the ninth.
Starter Jacob Schaffer suffered the loss for the Bulldogs going eight complete innings giving up six hits, six runs (three earned) while striking out 10. The Bulldog defense was plagued by errors all day as Concordia managed eight in the game.
Offensively Concordia was led Juelfs who went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Rodriguez added two hits for the Bulldogs.
Northwestern starter Joe Grady went nine complete innings, scattering eight hits while surrendering five runs, three earned in the victory.
In game two the Bulldogs were never able to establish and offensive or defensive rhythm as the Bulldogs were held to five hits and surrendered three errors. Starter sophomore John Couch was taxed for 12 hits, 10 runs (all earned) in five innings of work as the Bulldogs dropped game two, 10-2.
Concordia will take tomorrow off to celebrate Easter, and then resume conference play as the Chargers of Briar Cliff University come to Seward, Neb. for a 12:30 p.m. double header.