(Novi, MI) – Concordia baseball continued WHAC conference play with a doubleheader against UM-Dearborn at Novi High School on Sunday afternoon. The Cardinals entered with an 18-6 overall record while the Wolverines came in 9-10-1 on the year. CUAA earned a split after the afternoon's games, falling 10-0 in the first game and rebounding with an 11-6 win in the second.
Game 1 – UM-Dearborn 10, CUAA 0 (7 innings)
Jimmy McKane (JR/Saint Johns, MI) started on the mound for Concordia, pitching the first 2 innings of the game. Blaine Milheim (SR/Eaton Rapids, MI) made a 2-out double in the top of the 1st, but UM-Dearborn finished the inning without allowing a run. McKane recorded 3 strikeouts in the bottom of the 1st, however the Wolverines scored 2 runs to take an early lead.
UM-Dearborn added 5 more runs in the 2nd inning. Alex Philips came on to pitch for Concordia in the 3rd inning, notching 5 strikeouts in 4.1 innings of work.
Neither team scored from the 3rd through 6th innings. Kainan Bayn (FR/Zeeland, MI) singled in the top of the 5th and eventually reached third base, but the Cardinals were not able to score. UM-Dearborn was able to add 3 more runs in the 7th inning, ending the game as they took a 10-run lead after 7 innings.
Game 2 – CUAA 11, UM-Dearborn 6
Grant Steinborn (JR/Flushing, MI) began game 2 at pitcher for the Cardinals. Concordia found their offense in the 1st inning with 3 runs. Blaine Milheim hit into a fielder's choice, scoring Vann Acker (JR/Eaton Rapids, MI). Kainan Bayn then hit a 2-RBI single with the bases loaded, scoring Milheim and Chris Lowe (JR/DeWitt, MI). The Wolverines answered with a 3-run homer in the bottom of the 1st, tying the game 3-3.
The game remained tied from the 2nd through 5th innings. Tyson Kleinfelter (FR/Perrysburg, OH) came in to pitch for Concordia in the 3rd, recording 3 strikeouts in 4 innings of work. The Cardinals turned a double play in the bottom of the 3rd inning.
UM-Dearborn took a 4-3 lead with a run in the bottom of the 6th. Concordia tied the game in the top of the 7th as Blaine Milheim hit a solo home run, but the Wolverines answered with a run in the bottom of the 7th. UM-Dearborn took a 6-4 lead with another run in the 8th. Brendan Lyons (JR/Woodhaven, MI) entered the game at pitcher to secure the last 2 outs of the 8th inning.
The Cardinals made a furious rally with 7 runs in the top of the 9th inning to retake the lead. Jordan Sherman (FR/Homer, MI) used a 2-RBI single with the bases loaded to tie the game, scoring Ethan Vosburg (SR/Climax, MI) and Lucas McNinch (SO/Belding, MI). Justin Mercer (SR/Howell, MI) hit a 2-RBI single to drive in Jordan Sherman and Kainan Bayn, giving CUAA their first lead of the game. A 3-RBI double from Chris Lowe cleared the bases and drove in Vann Acker, Justin Mercer, and Matthew Botti (JR/Decatur, MI). CUAA led 11-6 after the 9th.
The Cardinals were able to hold UM-Dearborn off the scoreboard in the bottom of the 9th, securing the victory to earn a split on the day.
Concordia improves to 19-7 overall and 3-1 in the WHAC. The Cardinals play their next game on Wednesday, March 27 when the team travels to NCAA Division I Eastern Michigan University. First pitch is set for 3pm.
