Baseball falls to Carthage

MEQUON, Wis. – Harry Steldt became the first Concordia University Wisconsin player to ever hit a home run in Kapco Park, but it wasn't enough as the Falcons dropped a non-conference contest, 12-9, against Carthage College on Wednesday night.

The game was the first game to start under the lights in the history of the new facility and those in attendance witnessed an exciting contest from start to finish. All but one inning a run was plated, with 21 runs being scored on 25 base hits.

There had been numerous doubles and triples at Kapco Park, but a Falcon had never hit a long ball until Steldt's at-bat in the fifth frame. The sophomore infielder took the first pitch of his third at-bat in the game and drove it deep over the left-center field fence to give CUW a 4-3 lead.

CC (19-16) answered with nine-unanswered runs over the final four innings to take a commanding 12-6 lead. CUW (11-23) made a valiant effort at a comeback with back-to-back RBI singles and scoring a run on a wild pitch, but it wasn't enough.

Steldt was one of three Falcons to score twice or record two hits in the game. He, along with freshman Matt Schroeder (Mequon, Wis.) each drove in a pair of runs. Freshman Joel Sharon (Glendale, Wis.) took the loss after throwing two innings of four-hit ball, but he gave up three earned runs.

Andy Pucher (1-1) picked up the win in relief after throwing the final three innings. He struck out two and walked two, while allowing six hits and giving up five runs, four earned.

Three Red Men touched the plate twice and Zach Kozlowski drove in a game-high three runs. Tyler Eickmeyer also finished with two hits and two RBI.

The Falcons bats came alive after a dry spell that hadn't seen them hit in double-figures in two-and-a-half weeks. The loss puts their losing streak at 11 games, which dates back to April 18. A combined 16 runners were left on base and three double plays were turned.

It didn't take long for CC to score as Eickmeyer took the second pitch of the game over the fence down the right field line. The Red Men's nine-unanswered runs came on seven base hits – one double – three hit-by-pitches and two walks.

CUW returns to the diamond on Saturday for its final Northern Athletics Conference doubleheader of the season at Marian University. The first pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. at Herr-Backer Field.