RIVER FOREST, ILL. -- Back on their home field following two losses to Lakeland University, the Concordia University Chicago Cougars swept the Wisconsin Lutheran College Warriors in a dominating fashion. The combined 51 runs on the day set a new program record for most runs scored in a doubleheader, with the previous record sitting at 47 runs set in 2001 in a doubleheader against Rockford University.

GAME ONE
INSIDE THE BOX

• Garry Maynard (Oswego, Ill.) led the Cougar offense going four-for-five at the plate with seven RBIs and two home runs.
• Michael Kasik (Chandler, Ariz.) went three-for-four at the plate with four RBIs while Tyler Dorsch (Phoenix, Ariz.) went three-for-four at the plate and picked up one RBI.
• Brandon Mahler (Vernon Hills, Ill.) followed closely behind, going one-for-five at the plate with four RBIs following the freshman's second grand slam of the year.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• A quick first inning for the Cougars was led by junior right-handed pitcher Wyatt McLaughlin (Cave Creek, Ariz.) working on the bump. Unable to convert on their offensive end of the first inning, the Cougars went back to playing defense and fell behind after the Warriors picked up three runs in the top of the second and tacked on an additional run in the top of the third to take the 4-0 lead.
• Needing to get the bats going, a single from Christian Jacob (Scottsdale, Ariz.) with two outs in the bottom of the third would be the jolt of electricity needed. Dorsch picking up his first hit of the day would move Jacob into scoring position while Maynard's first hit of the day would move runners around the bases and score Jacob while putting Dorsch on third base.
• A single to centerfield from Kasik would score two runs and bring the Cougars within one.  Following back-to-back strolls to first from Caleb Anderson (Plainfield, Ill.) and Tyler Krater (Phoenix, Ariz.) would load the bases up for Mahler to make his grand appearance on the day and earn his four RBIs with a grand slam over the left center wall to give the Cougars the 7-4 lead.
• With momentum clearly shifted to the Cougars, a quick three outs for the Cougars with McLaughlin still working on the mound would hand things back to the hot hands of the Cougar hitters, where they'd pick up another three runs off Maynard's first home run of the day to left field. 
• As the Warriors picked up another run and attempted to chip away at the Cougar lead, the Cougars kept their feet on the gas and jumped out to as much as an 11-run lead in the bottom of the fifth following hits from Jaime Sandoval (Oak Lawn, Ill.), Elijah Hickman (Rensselaer, Ind.), Jacob, Dorsch, Maynard, Kasik, and Anderson.
• The Warriors saw their biggest inning of the game in the top of the sixth after securing four runs on four hits, but still found themselves trailing by six after sophomore left-handed pitcher Anthony Pullano (Park Ridge, Ill.) stepped in for McLaughlin and closed the inning with two left on base. 
• The Cougars answered promptly by picking up their final three runs of the game after Maynard picked up his second home run of the day on an infield hit to centerfield that scored three runs.
• Dax Meyer (Lombard, Ill.) took to the mound for the Cougars in the top of the seventh and closed the game for the Cougars with a final score of 19-9.

HIGHLIGHTS

MAHLER WITH THE GRAND SLAM TO TAKE THE LEAD pic.twitter.com/GMCYvnkG5G

— CUC Baseball (@CUCbaseball) April 10, 2023

Garry Maynard with a three run home run! Cougars lead 10-4! pic.twitter.com/CHhP9dE8yb

— CUC Baseball (@CUCbaseball) April 10, 2023

And that's gonna be a 2 RBI Single for CJ to increase the lead! pic.twitter.com/quzyvk7k5B

— CUC Baseball (@CUCbaseball) April 10, 2023

Kasik adds two more RBIs to his season off this triple pic.twitter.com/Yq5wvtGQko

— CUC Baseball (@CUCbaseball) April 10, 2023

GAME TWO
INSIDE THE BOX

• The Cougars put up 32 runs in the game -- the highest since 2001 when the Cougars beat the Rockford Regents 35-5.
• 20 Cougars saw the field in game two, with 15 of them crossing the plate for runs during the game.
• The Cougars scored in every inning of the game -- the first time all season. 
• Krater led the offense going two-for-five with six RBIs while Hickman followed behind going three-for-four with five RBIs. 
• Anderson went a perfect three-for-three at the plate and picked up four RBIs.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Senior Chandler Kerr (Lockport, Ill.) took to the mound to start game two for the Cougars and retired three batters for a scoreless first half inning.
• Continuing the destruction from the first game, the Cougars jumped out to a 5-0 lead after a leadoff bunt from Jacob followed by a double to left from Maynard would move runners into scoring position. Anderson would drive his first two runs in during game two after dropping a ball to left center while Krater would send a long ball over the centerfield wall and pick up his second home run of the year and bring three runs across the plate. 
• With the Warriors able to tack on a run in the top of the second, the Cougars retaliated right back and put up a run following hits from Dorsch and Anderson to bring the Cougars ahead 6-1 heading to the top of the third.
• With another short defensive inning, the Cougars were back at the plate where they picked up eight runs on seven hits including two singles from Carter Gledhill (Arlington Heights, Ill.), doubles from Dorsch, Kasik, Krater, and Hickman, and another home run from Maynard.
• After letting up a handful of runs while still holding the 18-6 lead, the Cougars saw a handful of defensive changes. Julio Cajigas (Romeoville, Ill.) took to right field, Nick Rensberger (Milford, Ind.) took to first base, Richie Sperando (Darien, Ill.) took to short stop, and Tyler Sherman (St. Louis, Mo.) took to the designated hitter spot and the Cougars kept rolling. 
• A massive 13-run sixth inning capitalized by hits from Hickman, Jacob, Dorsch, Rensberger, Sperando,Dom Owens (Frankfort, Ill.), and Jake Mahler (Vernon Hills, Ill.) would bring the Cougars to a massive 24-run lead.
• Graduate pitcher Jake Garvey (Brookfield, Ill.) took the mound in the top of the seventh inning and quickly closed the game with the 32-8 win for the Cougars. 

HIGHLIGHTS

KRATER SKYS ONE!!!! pic.twitter.com/OeHpb4SOGH

— CUC Baseball (@CUCbaseball) April 10, 2023

HUGE OUT AT THE PLATE!!! Hickman to Jacob to Gledhill to stop the Warriors pic.twitter.com/kItEVUhhdo

— CUC Baseball (@CUCbaseball) April 10, 2023

AND WHAT?!?!?! Maynard sends ANOTHA ONE! pic.twitter.com/iMvoyIFQ0q

— CUC Baseball (@CUCbaseball) April 10, 2023

Off the wall like a backboard. Krater almost sends this one out and two more Cougars score! pic.twitter.com/iWiMx4eafQ

— CUC Baseball (@CUCbaseball) April 10, 2023

Just can't STOP the Cougs today! Hickman gets another two runs in and the Cougars are DOMINATING pic.twitter.com/tEX1L3ZpFa

— CUC Baseball (@CUCbaseball) April 10, 2023

We had a big time performance today from everyone on the team and our guy Jake Garvey dishes the inside scoop on all the momentum on our side ⬇⬇#d3b pic.twitter.com/JwXlqAFG1L

— CUC Baseball (@CUCbaseball) April 11, 2023

The Cougars have a quick turnaround as they battle a solo game against the North Park University Vikings tomorrow, April 11th, with an anticipated 3:00 pm first pitch. Coverage can be found at cucougars.com/coverage.