Gameday Recap

MOORHEAD, Minn. (4/21/07)--At 8:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, things didn't look too good for the Cobber baseball team. The skies were dumping a steady stream of rain on the field and Concordia was mired in last place in the MIAC standings. Less than 24 hours later, the Cobber outlook - and the skyline - seem a whole lot brighter. Thanks to a window of six hours of dry weather and a pair of solid pitching performances, Concordia once again has hope for the 2007 conference playoffs.

The Cobbers knocked out 14 hits in the first game against Augsburg and then rode the arm of freshman pitcher Adam Johnson in the finale to post a 9-1, 3-2 sweep over Augsburg on Saturday in Moorhead. The twin killing is the first sweep for the Cobbers in conference play this season. The team is now 3-7 in the league and no longer in the conference cellar.

In the first game, Concordia drove home eight runs in the first three innings, highlighted by a six-run third frame, to seize control of the contest. In the six-run third, CC scored six runs on five hits and was the recipient of three Auggie miscues. From there, Cobber starting pitcher Scott Schumacher was able to keep the Augsburg offense from stringing hits together and held the Auggies scoreless in the fourth and fifth innings. He pitched a total of five innings and allowed one earned run while scattering eight hits. Matt Venturini came on in the sixth inning and pitched two scoreless innings. The two Cobber pitchers were able to strand 11 Augsburg runners on base to help CC to their second league win of the year.

Offensively, five different Cobber hitters had two hits in the game as CC produced more hits in game 1 than in any other game this season. Jake Krause, Matt Youngquist, Chris Klabo, Ryan Emter and Brian Knoblauch were a combined 10-for-17 with seven runs scored and three RBI's.

Augsburg scored their only run in the top of the third inning to temporarily cut the lead to 2-1. Aaron Hazen was the only Auggie hitter with more than one hit in the game. He went 2-for-3. Nate Jackson was 1-for-2 and drove in the team's only run. The Auggies trotted four different pitchers out on the mound and none lasted longer than 2.1 innings. Starting pitcher Sam Weber went the first 2.1 innings and was saddled with his first loss of the year.

The second game was a 180-degree turn from the first as the two teams battled all the way until the final inning. In the end, Youngquist's walkoff walk with the bases loaded proved to be the game winner. Both teams had a two-run inning and both received strong pitching starts from first-year hurlers.

Concordia opened the game with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning. Knoblauch homered to left to open the scoring and then Kyle Johnson doubled home Youngquist who had reached on an error.

Augsburg (13-16/5-7 MIAC) countered with two runs in the top of the third inning. The Auggies were helped by a mental mistake and then a throwing error from the Cobbers. With two outs and a runner on second, Auggie shortstop Andy Nelson singled to center field. Cobber center fielder Ryan Emter then tried to get Mark Pederson at the plate. His throw was late and CC catcher Kyle Johnson then tried to get Nelson who was trying to advance to second on the throw home. Johnson's throw sailed wide of the mark and rolled all the way to the outfield fence. The throwing error allowed Nelson to score from second to tie the score.

From the third, the two starting pitchers took control. Augsburg's Chris Purcell shut the Cobbers down after the first inning and only allowed three hits from the second through the fifth innings. He was relieved by Jason Kickhafer who pitched 1.1 innings and was done in by three walks.

Concordia freshman Adam Johnson recovered from the third-inning slip up and retired the final 11 batters he faced. He pitched a complete game and allowed only one earned run and three hits in earning his first collegiate victory.

Knoblauch has been one of the hottest hitters on the team in the past six games. He has hit safely in five of those six contests and has raised his season average to the .300 level for the first time all season.

Concordia will turn around and host St. John's on Sunday, Apr. 22 at 1 p.m. at the Jake Christiansen Athletic Complex. Augsburg's next series will also be against the Johnnies. They will host St. John's on Tuesday, Apr. 24 at 2:30 p.m. at Parade Stadium.