(Kansas City, MO) - CUAA baseball continued play in day three of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) World Series on Tuesday afternoon. The Cardinals first faced off against #8 seed Judson, outlasting the Eagles 6-5. The team then competed against #1 seed Oakland City, holding off a late rally for another 6-5 victory.
GAME ONE – CUAA 6, Judson 5
Logan Morris started on the mound, pitching six total innings. In the first inning, Logan Hylek started a standout day with a 2-RBI single to score Gus Simon and Justin Kozlowski. Hylek added an RBI single in the third inning to drive in Jake Kuhlman.
Judson broke the shutout with one run in the fifth inning. In the top of the seventh, Gus Simon countered with a sacrifice fly to score Tyler Lawson. Logan Hylek tacked on his fourth RBI of the day with an RBI single scoring Justin Kozlowski.
Kenneth (Dave) Rozmys pitched the seventh and eighth innings making two strikeouts. Judson scored one run in the eighth inning to pull within three runs.
In the top of the ninth, Logan Hylek reached home just in time as Alex Czyzewski was caught in a rundown. Blake Weaver pitched for the first two outs of the ninth inning with one strikeout. Judson pulled closer with a 3-RBI double to trim the lead to 6-5. Dylan Kints came on to pitch for the final out of the game, securing a popup to Derek Hebner at first base to clinch the win.
GAME TWO – CUAA 6, Oakland City 5
Drew Murphy started on the mound, recording one strikeout in six innings. Gus Simon scored the first run of the game in the first inning when he reached home on an error.
Oakland City tied the game with a run in the second inning. In the third, Logan Hylek hit an RBI single to drive in Justin Kozlowski and reclaim the lead.
In the fifth inning, Justin Kozlowski reached home after an error. Logan Hylek added a sacrifice bunt to score Jake Kuhlman. Derek Hebner tacked on an RBI single to drive in Gus Simon for a 5-1 lead.
Oakland City scored a run in the sixth inning. Trey Acker came on to pitch in the seventh, making six strikeouts in three innings. Oakland City pulled closer with a 2-run homer in the top of the seventh. In the bottom half, Logan Hylek continued his outstanding day by lining a single past the first baseman to score Jake Kuhlman.
In the ninth inning, Oakland City scored a run and loaded the bases. Trey Acker came up clutch with the final strikeout to pitch out of the jam and bring home a 6-5 win.
The Cardinals will advance in the NCCAA World Series to play #4 seed Jessup University tomorrow, May 21st, at 11am CT in Kansas City, MO.
