River Forest, Ill. – Looking to build on their 15 game winning streak, the No. 1 Concordia Chicago Baseball team hit the field once again today against the Wisconsin Lutheran College Warriors this afternoon. Game one was a tightly contested contest that was well pitched on both sides. CUC was able to come out on top in the bottom of the ninth on a Justin Rodriguez walkoff single to take game one 2-1. The Cougars then continued the strong pitching with six strong innings from Cole Carman as the offense came alive in an 11-0 game two sweep.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Brody Mariotti led the way with five hits on the day to go along with a homer and three RBI's.
- Bryan VanDuser homered in game two and had four hits on the day.
- Kyle Strepek pitched a gem in game one, working seven innings while allowing no runs and just three hits.
- Zach Litke picked up the game one win, working the final two innings.
- Carman worked six innings and allowed no runs on four hits while striking out seven.
- With the two wins CUC extended the nations' longest winning streak to 17.
GAME ONE: W, 2-1
The Cougars were able to bring home a run in their initial at bats. Jose Mercado led off the inning with a single through the left side. He then quickly stole second and then advanced to third on a wild pitch. He then came home when Brayden Benavides dropped a single into center field to give CUC a 1-0 lead.
Both pitchers settled in from there. Neither team was able to get anything going offensively. CUC had their best opportunity in the third when Matt Fauth led off the inning with a double, but he was stranded at third.
Strepek worked quickly on the mound getting CUC through seven innings. WLC was able break through with their lone run of the day in the eighth. A leadoff single got things started for the Warriors in the inning. A stolen base and a groundout moved the runner to third with one away. A sac fly then brought in the tying run.
CUC continued their winning streak by walking it off in the ninth. With one out Keegan Tyrell singled through the right side on a 1-1 pitch. One out later Tyrell stole second to get in scoring position. Rodriguez then brought home the winning run by lining a single through the left side as Tyrell hustled all the way around to score to give CUC the 2-1 victory.
GAME TWO: W, 11-0
CUC got things going right again in game two. Mercado took the first pitch he saw into left center for a leadoff double. He then came around to score on a VanDuser double to center to give CUC the early 1-0 lead.
The Cougars made it 5-0 in the second. Mateo Calle singled through the left side to open the inning. One out later a walk put runners at the corners. After Fauth stole second with two outs a Benavides single made it 3-0 CUC. VanDuser then made it 5-0 CUC with a no doubt line drive homer to left field, his second of the season.
CUC made it 6-0 without a hit in the third. CUC worked three walks in the inning, and a Fauth sac fly brought home a run. The Cougars then made it 7-0 on a sac fly in the fourth.
The Cougars continued to add on in the sixth. Two singles opened the inning for CUC. Mariotti then delivered his fifth homer of the season over the right center field wall to make it 10-0. CUC then manufactured one more run in the inning to make it 11-0.
Ryan Davila worked the final inning for CUC as the Cougars put the final touches on their 17th straight win.
The Cougars will return to action tomorrow afternoon on the road. CUC will head to the south side of Chicago to take on the Illinois Tech Scarlet Hawks. Opening pitch is set for 12:00pm.