March 12, 2017 - While their week in Florida was still a winning one in the end, the last three days were not a satisfying conclusion. After winning six in a row, the Cougars dropped their third in a row this afternoon, losing 7-0 to Spalding (KY) University and heading home with a 6-5 record.

While the Cougars were out of sorts today, part of that could be attributed to Spalding pitcher Kyle Olliges. The senior right-hander hurled a complete-game six-hitter (all singles) with CUC getting just two runners in scoring position the entire day. Olliges struck out 10 and did not walk a batter, facing just four batters over the minimum and needing just 111 pitches.

Concordia-Chicago did not help themselves today either, committing four errors. Keaton Conner started on the mound for CUC, and he was sharp through three in retiring nine of the first 10 batters. The Golden Eagles broke through in the fourth with a one-out walk, followed by Blake Patterson's double (the first hit off Conner). A sacrifice fly then plated the run. 

Back-to-back errors to start the fifth were the beginning of the Cougars' undoing. A booted grounder to third, followed by a throwing error on a sacrifice bunt, put runners on third and second. A grounder to third produced one out, but Jeff Thompson was next up and he lined a triple to right, scoring both runners for a 3-0 lead.

Spalding put the game on ice with a four-run sixth off Conner and Adam Schmitt. All the runs were unearned as an error at short with two out extended the inning. Thompson hit his second triple in as many innings, this one with the bases loaded to drive in three.

Mitch Wilson had three of the Cougars' six hits off Olliges. The second baseman hit .516 for the road trip (16-31) with seven runs scored and a slugging percentage of .677.

The Cougars will resume action next weekend with a two-game weekend series at Wartburg College in Waverly, IA.