Box Score (Game 1)
Box Score (Game 2)
MEQUON, Wis. - Given a golden opportunity to move into the top four of the Northern Athletics Conference, the Edgewood College baseball team let a three-run lead in the ninth inning slip away in a 4-3 extra innings loss at Concordia University Wisconsin. The Eagles did shake off the gut punch defeat by crushing the Falcons 8-1 in the second game to keep their postseason hopes alive.
The Eagles hitters had a hard time solving Concordia University Wisconsin pitcher Derrick Pankow, but the Falcons defense gave up three unearned runs to the Eagles. The first run came in, in the fifth inning when Ryan O'Dell's grounder was thrown away, allowing Andrew King to score from third base. In the seventh, another Falcon error opened the door for a two-run single by O'Dell to score Scott Ortega and Alex Jaskulski.
Edgewood College starting pitcher Blake O'Brien held the Falcons at bay into the ninth inning. O'Brien allowed just four hits through eight innings and struck out six batters. However, when O'Brien opened the ninth by giving up a single and a walk, the Eagles turned to Blake Hunt. Hunt got the first batter out, but then loaded the bases with a hit batter, setting the stage for Brandon Schider's RBI single. Eagle closer Connor Lenz came on to stop the bleeding, but walked in two consecutive runs to tie the game and send it to extra innings.
In the top of the 10th inning, King worked a walk and moved to third on a pair of groundouts. However, the Eagles couldn't bring him home. Lenz stayed on for the bottom of the 10th and seemed to have things under control, getting the first two batters out, but Falcon third baseman Harry Steldt changed everything in the blink of an eye. Steldt homered to give the Falcons a dramatic 4-3 victory.
Edgewood College finished the game with three hits, but most notably, Jake Zadra went 0-for-4 snapping his career-best 17-game hitting streak. Lenz took the loss, falling to 1-1 on the season.
The Eagles wasted no time getting on the board in the second game, plating three runs in the first inning. The first four batters all reached safely, capped by Mike Selvaggi's two-run single. Ortega added a sacrifice fly two batters later. Edgewood College added an unearned run in the fourth inning for a 4-0 lead.
That would be more than enough for Eagle starting pitcher Glenn Nowell. The junior threw his third straight complete game victory, this time a four-hitter. Nowell struck out eight batters and walked just two.
After Concordia University Wisconsin posted their only run in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Eagles put the game away in the eighth. O'Dell smacked a two-run single and Eric Curtis followed with a sacrifice fly. Jaskulski's RBI single in the ninth completed the scoring.
Jaskulski had a career-high four hits, going 4-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Ortega, batting behind Jaskulski made the middle of the lineup deadly for the Falcons, going 3-for-4. O'Dell and Walker each went 2-for-5 and O'Dell added two runs batted in.
Edgewood College (17-19, 12-8 NAC) will sit back on Sunday and watch how the conference schedule plays out. At the moment, the Eagles are even with Marian University (10-6 NAC) at four games behind the NAC leaders for fourth place, but the Sabres have six games remaining compared to the Eagles two. Benedictine University (9-7 NAC), Concordia Wisconsin (12-17, 8-7 NAC), and Wisconsin Lutheran College (8-8 NAC) are also in the running for the NAC Tournament. The Eagles have a non-conference doubleheader with UW-Platteville at Stampfl Field on Wednesday, before wrapping the NAC schedule next Saturday at Lakeland College.
Box Score (Game 2)
MEQUON, Wis. - Given a golden opportunity to move into the top four of the Northern Athletics Conference, the Edgewood College baseball team let a three-run lead in the ninth inning slip away in a 4-3 extra innings loss at Concordia University Wisconsin. The Eagles did shake off the gut punch defeat by crushing the Falcons 8-1 in the second game to keep their postseason hopes alive.
The Eagles hitters had a hard time solving Concordia University Wisconsin pitcher Derrick Pankow, but the Falcons defense gave up three unearned runs to the Eagles. The first run came in, in the fifth inning when Ryan O'Dell's grounder was thrown away, allowing Andrew King to score from third base. In the seventh, another Falcon error opened the door for a two-run single by O'Dell to score Scott Ortega and Alex Jaskulski.
Edgewood College starting pitcher Blake O'Brien held the Falcons at bay into the ninth inning. O'Brien allowed just four hits through eight innings and struck out six batters. However, when O'Brien opened the ninth by giving up a single and a walk, the Eagles turned to Blake Hunt. Hunt got the first batter out, but then loaded the bases with a hit batter, setting the stage for Brandon Schider's RBI single. Eagle closer Connor Lenz came on to stop the bleeding, but walked in two consecutive runs to tie the game and send it to extra innings.
In the top of the 10th inning, King worked a walk and moved to third on a pair of groundouts. However, the Eagles couldn't bring him home. Lenz stayed on for the bottom of the 10th and seemed to have things under control, getting the first two batters out, but Falcon third baseman Harry Steldt changed everything in the blink of an eye. Steldt homered to give the Falcons a dramatic 4-3 victory.
Edgewood College finished the game with three hits, but most notably, Jake Zadra went 0-for-4 snapping his career-best 17-game hitting streak. Lenz took the loss, falling to 1-1 on the season.
The Eagles wasted no time getting on the board in the second game, plating three runs in the first inning. The first four batters all reached safely, capped by Mike Selvaggi's two-run single. Ortega added a sacrifice fly two batters later. Edgewood College added an unearned run in the fourth inning for a 4-0 lead.
That would be more than enough for Eagle starting pitcher Glenn Nowell. The junior threw his third straight complete game victory, this time a four-hitter. Nowell struck out eight batters and walked just two.
After Concordia University Wisconsin posted their only run in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Eagles put the game away in the eighth. O'Dell smacked a two-run single and Eric Curtis followed with a sacrifice fly. Jaskulski's RBI single in the ninth completed the scoring.
Jaskulski had a career-high four hits, going 4-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Ortega, batting behind Jaskulski made the middle of the lineup deadly for the Falcons, going 3-for-4. O'Dell and Walker each went 2-for-5 and O'Dell added two runs batted in.
Edgewood College (17-19, 12-8 NAC) will sit back on Sunday and watch how the conference schedule plays out. At the moment, the Eagles are even with Marian University (10-6 NAC) at four games behind the NAC leaders for fourth place, but the Sabres have six games remaining compared to the Eagles two. Benedictine University (9-7 NAC), Concordia Wisconsin (12-17, 8-7 NAC), and Wisconsin Lutheran College (8-8 NAC) are also in the running for the NAC Tournament. The Eagles have a non-conference doubleheader with UW-Platteville at Stampfl Field on Wednesday, before wrapping the NAC schedule next Saturday at Lakeland College.