Gameday Recap

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (2/26/07)-- It took a trio of freshmen only two games to get comfortable in their new maroon and gold uniforms. Thirdbaseman Jake Krause had a pair of hits and relievers Matt Green and Adam Johnson pitched three innings and did not allow an earned run as Concordia beat Johnson & Wales College (R.I.) 6-4 to pick up their first win of the season on Monday in Port Charlotte, Fla.

The Cobbers (1-1) once again allowed their opponent to score in the opening inning of the game. In Sunday's opener, Concordia gave up a single run in each of the first three innings. On Monday, starting pitcher Kevin Engebretson gave up a run in the first and then two more in the third but then settled into a groove to retire 11 of the final 13 batters he faced.

The biggest blow for the Wildcats came in the third inning when Alex Hurley hit a two-run home run to left center. Engebretson then struck out the next three batters and pitched a total of six innings to earn his first win of the year.

Concordia did all of their offensive damage in the middle innings. They picked up a pair of runs in the fourth inning on two hits and two costly Wildcat errors. They then added one more in the fifth and three more in the sixth inning. The sixth-inning outburst came courtesy of four CC hits.

The Cobbers had four players post multiple-hit games. Krause went 2-for-2 from the leadoff spot and stole two bases. He led off the fifth inning with a double and then laced a triple into right field in the sixth inning. On both occasions he scored on a hit from secondbaseman Matt Youngquist who was 2-for-4 with two RBI's.

Besides Krause and Youngquist, senior Kyle Johnson went 3-for-4, scored a run and drove in another and Brian Knoblauch went 2-for-4 with a runs scored and an RBI. Those four shouldered the bulk of the CC offensive attack that outhit Johnson & Wales 11-4.

After Engebretson pitched the first six innings, Green came in and pitched a perfect seventh inning and then allowed an unearned run in the eighth inning but did not give up a hit in his two innings of work. Adam Johnson then came in and retired the Wildcats in order in the ninth inning to record his first collegiate save.

Concordia will take on Hanover (Ind.) on Tuesday as they look to move above the .500 mark for the first time this season. The game will start at 9 a.m. (cst) and will be held on field No.4 at the Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte, Fla.