Bulldogs take two from Manhattan Christian
The Concordia University, Nebraska, baseball team posted its first back-to-back victories of the season by sweeping a doubleheader from Manhattan Christian College on Tuesday, March 6.
The Bulldogs took the opener 8-3, then exploded for a 20-0 win in the finale. Following Tuesday's action the Bulldogs are 6-8 this season, while Manhattan Christian fell to 1-15.
Game One: Concordia 8, Manhattan Christian College 3
The opening contest was highlighted by one big inning for the Bulldogs. Trailing 2-0 entering the top of the third, Concordia plated five runs to take command.
In the third, the Bulldogs notched four hits and two walks as the team batted around. With one out in the frame, junior Ray Finley (Tucson, Ariz.) singled to right to ignite the rally. Senior Zak Goodrich (Tucson, Ariz.) followed with an RBI double to right. With senior Martin Rodriguez (Tucson, Ariz.) at the plate, Goodrich swiped third. Moments later, Rodriguez drew a walk.
The Bulldogs used their speed to even the game at 2-2 as Rodriguez stole second and the errant throw allowed Goodrich to score. Rodriguez stole third, then a walk to junior Nolan Schaefer (Lincoln, Neb.) put runners at first and third. Speed continued to help Concordia as a double steal moved both Bulldog runners up 90 feet to give the Bulldogs a 3-2 lead.
The final two runs of the inning came home on an RBI double from senior Brandon Pflug (Ft. Morgan, Colo.) and a sacrifice fly by freshman Daniel Wilkerson (Santa Fe, Texas).
Concordia went on to added two more runs in the fourth and one in the seventh, claiming the game 8-3.
Junior Nick Thill (Littleton, Colo.) picked up the win (1-0) by limiting the Crusaders to three runs(one earned) on nine hits in five innings.
David Copp, meanwhile, was tagged for seven runs (five earned) on five hits and three walks in 3.1 innings of work
Game Two: Concordia 20, Manhattan Christian College 0
The second meeting between the Bulldogs and Crusaders was a one-sided affair. Concordia notched 20 runs on 21 hits, while Manhattan Christian managed just five hits in the game.
The offensive stars for Concordia were seniors Tate Bedwell (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Anthony Flores (Craig, Colo.). The duo combined for eight hits, nine RBI and four runs scored.
Bedwell was 5-for-6 in the contest, connecting for two singles, two doubles and a triple.
Concordia starter Zach English (Greeley, Colo.) picked up his first win (1-0) of the season with two innings of two hit ball.
Bryan Kloppe suffered the loss for Manhattan Christian, allowing 11 runs (eight earned) on 12 hits and two walks in five innings.
Concordia is back in action on Saturday, March 10 as the Bulldogs begin play in the Russ Matt Baseball Invitational in Florida during Concordia's spring break.
6 March 2012
