Gameday Game Recap

ST. PAUL, Minn.-- If the old saying is true that in order to make a run at the top of any league you need to split series on the road and sweep at home, then after Wednesday's doubleheader at Bethel the Cobbers are right on track to make another appearance in the MIAC postseason.

Concordia pounded out 23 hits in the two games but were the victims of not enough key hits in game one and split their doubleheader with the Royals 6-5 and 8-3. It is the fourth consecutive series split and second straight conference road split to start the season. The Cobbers are now 2-2 in the MIAC and 8-8 overall. The Royals mirror Concordia's record in the MIAC, but have split both series at home. They are now 2-2 in the conference and 7-11 in total games.

Concordia senior third baseman Brian Schumacher broke out of his long ball drought by banging out a three-run home run in the second game to pace the Cobbers to the five-run victory. He went 3-for-3 in the nightcap with three RBI's and two runs scored. He improved his team-leading batting average to .353 after going 1-for-2 with two runs scored in the opener.

Tieg Herman came through on the mound for the Cobbers. Needing a win in the second game to stay on track in the MIAC, Herman pitched 6.2 innings and allowed three runs to earn his first win of the season.

The first game of the doubleheader was decided in the bottom of the sixth inning. After Cobber starter Adam Padrnos cruised through the first five innings, he began to tire in the sixth. He retired the first batter in the inning but then allowed a walk and a single before being relieved in favor of Cobber ace Blake Trenbeath. Trenbeath, making his first relief appearance of the season, allowed the next four hitters to reach base. After the dust settled, the Royals had rattled off four runs in the inning and replaced a 4-2 deficit with a 6-4 lead.

Concordia got one back in the top of the seventh inning when Schumacher was hit by a pitch and later scored on a Scott Halupczok ground out to second base. Matt Youngquist was stranded on third base with the potential game-tying run after a ground out to the pitcher ended the game.

The Cobbers knocked out 11 hits in the game but stranded eight runners in the seven innings. Shortstop Billy DeNet connected on his first home run of the year as he led off the game with a home run. He went 2-for-4 in the game and had a pair of RBI's.
Youngquist and Ryan Emter were the other two Cobbers who finished with multiple-hit games. Youngquist went 3-for-4 with two RBI's while Emter went 2-for-3 with 1 run scored.

Concordia grabbed control of the second game from the very first inning. Not wanting to experience their sweep of the season, the Cobbers scored one run in the first and then exploded for three runs in the fifth behind Schumacher's shot to right field.

Herman made sure the Royals would not be able to duplicate their first game, come-from-behind theatrics in the second game. After allowing one run on two hits in the first inning, he cruised through the next 5.2 innings, allowing just two more runs. Schumacher came on in the seventh and finished off the game by getting final Royal batter to strike out.

Emter matched Schumacher hit-for-hit. He finished with three hits in four at-bats and ended the day 5-for-7 and raised his season batting average to .342. He is also hitting .538 in the team's first four league games. Cobber first baseman Scot Halupczok was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.

Concordia will host St. Thomas in the home opener for the Cobbers on Saturday, Apr. 8 at 1:00pm.