The Charger baseball team split their doubleheader against #13 Concordia 10-7 in game one, before dropping a close contest 3-0 in game two.
Game 1 – W, 10-7
The Chargers found themselves down 2-0 after Concordia’s Joey Grabanski belted a two-run blast to take the lead in the top of the first.
In the bottom of the third, the Charger offense came alive, as they put runners on first and second with one out. Cam Reimer got the hit barrage started with an RBI-single to centerfield, followed by a one-run double from Rance Bryant to tie the ball game. Jared Sitzmann capped the scoring off with his two-run single to right field to give BCU a 4-2 lead.
The Bulldogs chipped into the lead in the top of the fourth, but BCU’s bats stayed hot in the next half-inning as Bryant recorded a two-run single to right center to put the Cliff up 6-3. Sitzmann again recorded another two-run single to push the lead to 8-3. Easton Cone put the Cliff up 9-5 in the bottom of fifth with his solo shot over the center field wall.
Sitzmann capped off his impressive performance in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI-single to put the Chargers up 10-5 heading into the final frame.
Sitzmann went a perfect four-for-four at the plate with five RBIs in the contest. Bryant went two-for-three with three RBIs and two runs scored. Bryant also tossed two innings on the mound, earning the save and recording one strike out.
Logan Barboa gets the win on the bump for the Cliff after tossing 4.2 innings and recording a strikeout against one of the nation’s top offenses.
Game 2 – L, 3-0
Cade Nelson got the start in game two for the Chargers, tossing four innings while allowing one run on four hits and recording six strikeouts. He was able to work out of many jams to keep the contest close for the Chargers.
The Bulldogs added insurance runs in the top of the seventh, after scoring on a rundown play late in the inning.
Bryant in the bottom of the seventh got on base after he singled to left field with one out. Sitzmann followed up with a single of his own to put runners on first and second. The next two Chargers would fall to strikeouts, halting a potential rally.
Cone went two-for-three at the plate while Sitzmann and Bryant were the lone Chargers to record hits in the contest.
The Chargers move to 8-12 (1-1 GPAC) and will await their weekend schedule pending weather forecast.
Briar Cliff Baseball splits Doubleheader with Concordia
