Meerdink leads Falcons with 26.1 inning unearned run streak
MEQUON, Wis. – Over the past month, Lukas Meerdink has been incredible on the pitching mound for the Concordia Wisconsin baseball team. The senior out of Oostburg, Wisconsin has allowed no earned runs in 26.1 innings of work while holding opposing hitters to a .122 batting average and striking out 34 in that time span.
"It is great to see all the hard work Lukas has put in starting to pay off," said Head Coach Eddy Morgan. "He has had some adversity to get through with his injuries the past several years but continued to stay positive and put in the work in the weight room. More than anything it has helped strengthen his character. He has started to be the pitcher and young man we knew he is capable of becoming."
His unearned run streak started with a relief appearance against Benedictine on April 8th. Meerdink entered the game in the seventh inning and proceeded to strike out three in two innings of work.
The senior then got a start against Edgewood on April 16th. Meerdink pitched 8.1 innings and allowed only one hit on the day. He also struck out 12 batters, tying him for the third most in a single game in program history with Derrick Pankow who set the mark in 2009.
Meerdink continued his unearned run streak in a crucial performance against Wisconsin Lutheran on April 22nd. The senior threw another one-hitter, this time pitching nine innings while striking out nine. Unfortunately, he missed out on getting the shutout or the win as the Falcons didn't score until the tenth inning. Nonetheless, without Meerdink holding the Warriors scoreless through nine innings that day, the Falcons would not have been able to win the game in the 10th inning and would need to sweep MSOE this upcoming Saturday to ensure a spot in the NACC Tournament.
In his most recent appearance, Meerdink got the start against Illinois Tech on April 28th. Four unearned runs were scored due to five errors being committed by the Falcons in the field, but Meerdink managed to give up no earned runs while striking out 10 in seven innings of work.
All in all, Meerdink's unearned run streak of 26.1 innings has helped put the Falcons in the position they are in now, needing to win only one game at MSOE this Saturday, May 4, to secure a spot in the NACC Tournament. The doubleheader starts at 12pm, so tune in and follow along with the audio and live stat links provided by MSOE linked here at CUWFalcons.com.
