Gameday Recap

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (2/28/07)--Things could have been worse for the Cobbers on Wednesday against York College (Pa.). Concordia could have been playing outside in Minnesota at the end of March with the temperatures in the 40's and the wind howling through the diamond. Instead they were in Port Charlotte, Fla. where the temperature was 75 and the sun was shining. That was one of the few bright spots on the day for the Cobbers as they were dropped by the Spartans 15-3.

It is the first time since arriving in Florida that they have played a game that wasn't decided by two runs. Concordia is now 1-3 on their spring trip. York, who are the defending Capital Athletic Conference champions, had already played in a tournament in Georgia before arriving in Florida and their experience showed as they evend their overall season mark at 3-3.

The first two innings once again dealt a cruel blow to the Cobbers. Concordia allowed a pair of runs in the first inning and has given up at least one run in the first inning in all four of their games this year. CC has been outscored 9-2 in the opening two innings of play in their four games in Florida.

After allowing the three runs in the first two innings,  Concordia starting pitcher Anthony Stern settled down and got through the first 4.1 innings of play. He was relieved in the fifth inning by Chris Fellows who lasted only .2 innings.

The most decisive frame of the game came in the sixth inning when the Spartans scored nine runs on four hits and sent 12 batters to the plate. Heading into the sixth, the game was in the balance with York holding a 3-0 lead, by the time the top half was finished, the Spartans had opened up a 12-0 margin and were firmly in cruise control.

York added two more runs in the top of the seventh before Concordia was bale to get on the board in the bottom of the inning on an infield single by Zach Johnson that plated Kyle Johnson.

The only other scoring threat came in the bottom of the ninth inning when Brian Knoblauch's two-out double scored Drew Zimmerman and Zach Johnson.

For the game, Concordia was outhit 14-8 marking the first time this season that the Cobbers have not had more hits than their opponents. For the second straight game, walks haunted the CC pitching staff. On Tuesday, Concordia allowed seven walks and lost to Hanover (Ind.). On Wednesday they conceded eight free passes.

Kyle Johnson and Zach Johnson had two hits each as they combined for half of Concordia's eight base knocks in the game.

Concordia will have the day off on Thursday before returning to action on Friday when they will meet Augustana (Ill.) at 8 a.m. (est) on field No.2 at the Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte, Fla.