May 21, 2016 - The Concordia Cougars began the day facing a long, uphill climb to the top of the mountain that is the NCAA III Midwest Regional. The Cougars were tasked with defeating St. John's (MN) University and, if successful, knocking off host University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse twice to advance to the Division III World Series. Despite battling some injury-related obstacles, the Cougars fought gamely and sent the game against St. John's into extra innings on Doug Matthews' (Crest Hill, IL/Lockport Township) two-out, two-run homer in the ninth before finally falling in 11 innings by a 7-5 score.

Brian Musielak (Chicago, IL/Brother Rice) got the starting assignment today, his first of the season. Having pitched a five-inning stint against Webster University on May 1 and two other four-inning stints, Musielak was ready to stretch it out and give CUC a chance to win. While the Johnnies put at least one runner on base in each of the first four innings, Musielak was able to make the big pitch when needed. CUC's defense also played well behind him, as Colin Bethran (Schaumburg, IL/H.S.) made a smooth running catch in the first to take away possible extra bases, and Mitch Wilson (Oswego, IL/H.S.) made a nice diving stop behind second base to turn a hit into a force play.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Cougars broke the ice against SJU starter Cameron Jurek. Joe Silva (Arlington Heights, IL/Hersey) singled to lead off, and Andrew Massey (Chicago, IL/St. Rita) was hit by a pitch. A double play erased Massey but sent Silva to third, and Silva scored when Wilson lined a single to leftfield.

The Cougars added two more in the fifth. Jacob Frank (Chicago, IL/Loyola Academy) was hit by Jurek, and Andrew Kroncke (St. Charles, IL/St. Charles North) sent him to third on a beautifully executed hit-and-run single. With one out and Kroncke now on second, Bryan VanDuser's (Plainfield, IL/Plainfield North) chopper to third scored Frank. Silva then struck out but made first base as the pitch got by the catcher while Kroncke moved to third base. That was a significant play because, with Massey at bat, Silva broke for second base. A momentarily confused Johnnies' defense finally caught Silva in a rundown, but not before Kroncke crossed the plate for a 3-0 lead.

Musielak shut down the Johnnies in the sixth, striking out the final batter for his second strikeout of the game. However, St. John's got to work in the seventh. After the first batter was retired, a walk and two singles gave SJU their first run. A fly to center was caught for the second out, but the next two batters also hit sharp singles to tie the game at 3-3. That marked the end of the day for Musielak who was relieved by Rob Lock (Chicago, IL/St. Ignatius). However, Dan Keller tagged a 1-1 pitch to straightaway centerfield. Bethran broke back on the ball, but it was just past his reach and went for a double, both baserunners scoring for a 5-3 lead. The next batter singled to center, but Bethran's throw to catcher Brady Roberts (Aurora, IL/Marmion Academy) was in time for the tag and the out.

Mike Formella (Homer Glen, IL/Lockport Township) came in to pitch the eighth, marking his third appearance in four days. Formella kept SJU off the scoreboard in the eighth and ninth, but the Cougars missed opportunities in the seventh and eighth, stranding two runners each time. Finally, it was do-or-die time in the bottom of the ninth. The Johnnies' pitcher got the first out on a grounder to second, but VanDuser reached as the third baseman threw low to first base for an error. Silva was retired on a pop-up for the second out, bringing Matthews to the plate. Matthews had entered the game in the seventh as the designated hitter, but it was his second at-bat that provided one of the memorable moments of the 2016 season. Matthews hit a fly to right that at first appeared as it would be an easy, final out. However, the ball had altitude and got caught up in the breeze blowing to rightfield. The outfielder went back all the way to the wall and with dismay watched the ball clear it for a two-run homer, his second of the year, and a brand new ball game.

Formella reamained on the mound and retired the Johnnies in the tenth, but the Cougars did nothing against SJU's Alex Kendall. Finally, in the top of the 11th inning, a leadoff single and a walk put two aboard with one out. It would be Keller once again that collected the big hit, a double to rightfield that scored the lead run and sent the other runner to third base from where he scored on a sacrifice fly.

The Cougars had one final chance and threatened as VanDuser singled with one out and Silva walked on four pitches. That brought Matthews to the plate, and St. John's opted for a new pitcher in bullpen ace Nick Noack. Unfortunately, there was no deja vu for the Cougars as matthews struck out and Roberts flew to right to end the game and an exciting season.

Reflecting on the brave performance today as well as a 34-13 season, head coach Mike Stawski said, "We ended the season as we began it - we never quit. We always played 27 outs, sometimes more, and we were always ready and willing to battle for each other. While we're disappointed that it came to an end today, we'll be ready again next season with that same mindset. I am very proud of this team and especially our seniors for a great job." The seniors playing their last game were Bethran, Kroncke, Lock, Nick Barnhill (Normal, IL/Normal West), Nick Fiorito (Chicago, IL/Notre Dame) and Eric Palmer (Melrose Park, IL/West Leyden).