May 3, 2019

#1 Cougars Split Final Non-Conference Series With #19 Webster

More news about: Concordia-Chicago

CAROL STREAM, Ill. – As the regular season enters the final weekend, the No. 1 ranked Concordia Chicago Baseball team headed to Carrol Stream today to take on No. 19 ranked Webster University. With the wind blowing in all day, pitching controlled the day from start to finish. CUC took the opener 1-0 behind a complete game effort by Adam Gregory. The Cougars got the tying run to third late in game two but were unable to capitalize, falling 2-1 to split the final non-conference series of the season.

 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

  • Jose Mercado and Bryan VanDuser led the way with three hits each.
  • Keegan Tyrell delivered the winning RBI in game one with a single to left.
  • With two stolen bases Mercado takes the nation lead in stolen bases with 36.
  • Gregory threw a complete game shutout in game one. He allowed just three hits with five strikeouts.
  • Alex Crinigan threw six innings in game two, allowing two runs on seven hits.

 

GAME ONE: W, 1-0

 

The pitchers were rolling early in game one. Both starters were able to put zeros on the board until the bottom of the third.

 

With one out Mercado lined a full count pitch into left field. He then tied for the nation lead by stealing second. He was then brought in on a Tyrell single to left.

 

That would be all the scoring that CUC would need in the ball game. Gregory worked out of trouble in the fourth inning when Webster put two on with one out in the fourth. He then worked out of a bases loaded jam in the sixth.

 

GAME TWO: L, 2-1

 

The two starters were able to put up zeros through the first two innings in game two. Webster broke through in the top of the third.  With one out two singles through the right side put a runner in scoring position. With two outs Ben Swords doubled to left center to give the Gorloks a 2-0 lead.

 

CUC got a single run back in the bottom of the fourth. VanDuser led things off with a single up the middle. He then stole second to get in scoring position. One out later Connor Brandon hit a ground rule double to left center on a 0-2 pitch to make it 2-1.

 

The Cougars were able to get the tying run to third in both the sixth and seventh innings. Unfortunately for CUC they were unable to plate the tying run in either inning, falling 2-1.

 

Mike Tobin worked a single inning of relief, striking out two.

 

The Cougars will look to clinch the NACC regular season championship tomorrow. They need just one win over Benedictine to clinch the title. First pitch is set for 12:00pm from Lisle.