Baseball drops a pair of one-run NAC contests against Rockford

MEQUON, Wis. – The Concordia University Wisconsin Baseball squad dropped a pair of one-run Northern Athletics Conference games Saturday, falling to Rockford College 9-8 in the opener and 3-2 in extra innings in the nightcap.

The opening game was a back-and-forth affair that ultimately saw the Falcons fall just short in the top of the ninth inning. Trailing 9-7 heading into the ninth, CUW cut the lead to one when freshman Nick Yenter (Rosholt, Wis.) singled in junior Taylor Buuck (Hillsborow, Ore.). With the bases still loaded, CUW grounded into a double play where the Regents first baseman tagged first and threw the runner out heading to second to end the game. It was ruled that the Falcons runner on third did not score before the tag occurred, making the final score 9-8.

The Falcons managed to hang in the opening contest despite committing nine errors in the game. CUW fell behind 4-1 after five innings but key hitting late in the game allowed them to rally back. The Falcons grabbed a 5-4 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh before RC scored five times to take the lead back 9-5.

CUW (3-12, 3-3 NAC) would not go away, however, as they plated two runs in the top of the eighth, beginning with a home run off the bat of senior Daniel Mueller (West Bend, Wis.). Mueller finished the game with a 3-for-5 performance, driving in three runs.

Also having big games at the plate for CUW in the opener were sophomores Joel Sharon (Glendale, Wis.) and Brandon Seifert (Germantown, Wis.). Sharon went 4-for-6, while Seifert added three hits, including a triple and scored two runs from the number two spot of the lineup. Sophomore Matthew Brueser (Oconomowoc, Wis.) took the loss for CUW, throwing 6.1 innings allowing nine runs, four of which were earned.

In the second game CUW improved defensively, committing no errors in limiting the Regents to three runs over 10 innings. Unfortunately for the Falcons that would not be enough as Rockford used strong pitching to gain the sweep with a 3-2 game two victory.

Rockford took the lead in the second contest in the bottom of the third before CUW responded with a run in the sixth on a Beau Burgert (Oshkosh, Wis.) single, plating Mueller. The Regents would answer right back with a run of their on in the bottom of the sixth.

The Falcons evened the score at 2-2 in the top of inning number eight when Mueller drove in junior Jay Kuczynski (Cedarburg, Wis.) on an RBI groundout. CUW had a chance to take the lead in the ninth, putting runners on second and third with one out but were unable to push the go ahead run across, forcing extra innings.

In the bottom of the 10th Rockford used three straight hits, beginning with a double from Matt Szytz to score the winning run. Cole Logemann singled in Szytz to give RC the doubleheader sweep.

Sophomore Tyler Adams (Jackson, Wis.) was impressive on the mound for the Falcons as he went nine innings allowing two runs, one earned, while striking out six. His counterpart, Kyle Pisano also allowed two runs, one being earned, over nine innings. Sophomore Colin Bernreuter (Frakenmuth, Mich.) took the loss in relief for the Falcons, while Zac Wolf gained the victory, throwing one inning of scoreless relief.

CUW will return to Kapco Park Sunday where they will host MSOE in a NAC twinbill. First pitch between the Falcons and Raiders is set for 1 p.m.