The Concordia University baseball team earned a split with the Doane College Tigers in GPAC action Monday evening at Memorial Field in Seward, Neb.
Concordia (6-29, 5-11 GPAC) allowed Doane (15-21, 7-7 GPAC) to score six runs in the first three innings and it proved to be to great a deficit for the Bulldogs to overcome dropping game one 6-5.
Sophomore starter John Couch (1-6) was touched up for six runs (four earned) on seven hits to suffer the loss for Bulldogs while the Doane starter Bryan Dutcher picked up the victory for the Tigers, throwing four and two thirds innings giving up three runs on three hits.
The Bulldogs were led offensively by junior short stop Casey Rodriguez who went 2-for-2 with his third triple of the season and an RBI.
In game two the Bulldogs had the hot offense out of the gate, scoring five runs in the first three innings and were able to hold on for a 5-3 game two victory.
Senior lefty Matt Rottmann had his best day as a Bulldog on the mound, going four complete innings while surrendering three runs (two earned) on six hits and striking out three, while only walking two Tigers.
The Bulldogs received solid outings from three freshman pitchers who combined for three scoreless innings and allowed on one base hit. Freshman Peyton McLauchan was able to wiggle out of a bases loaded and no outs jam in the fifth inning by inducing two fly balls and striking out Doane's Evan Garner looking to strand the tying run on second.
Troy Kane and Jacob Yurich then held the Tiger bats quiet in the sixth and seventh innings to preserve the Bulldog victory. Yurich picked up his first career save in the win.
Offensively the Bulldogs were led by sophomore center fielder Nate Schmoll with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate. Schmoll also scored two runs for Concordia. Jack Holmberg and BJ Juelfs each went 1-for-3 with two RBI.
The Bulldogs will next be in action April 19 as they head to Sioux Center, Iowa for a 2 p.m. double header with the Dordt College Defenders.
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score