Error Free Sweep

WINONA, Minn. (4/28/18)---Concordia didn't commit an error in their two games at St. Mary's and used two multiple-run innings to sweep the Cardinals 2-1 and 4-2.

The two wins are the first conference victories of the year for the Cobbers and end a 23-game losing slide which started in the middle of March.

In addition to the stellar defense displayed by Concordia, CC also got successful pitching stints from Abby Haraldson, Brynn Sundgaard and Megan Gavin. The trip of pitchers combined to strike out 10 batters and only allowed 11 hits in 14 innings of work.

Haraldson went the distance in the opener and struck out four and allowed a single earned run in the first inning of play. She retired 18 of the final 20 batters she faced after the first inning of play.

Sundgaard started the second game and went the first 4.1 innings. She allowed four hits and struck out four. Gavin entered the game with one out in the fifth inning and set down eight of the 10 batters she faced including a 1-2-3 seventh frame.

Sundgaard was credited with her first collegiate win while Gavin recorded her first collegiate save.

Concordia outhit St. Mary's 8-5 in the opener. The Cobbers scored both runs in the fourth inning. Gavin singled with one out and then Sydney Roberts laced a shot over the fence for her first home run of the season.         

Roberts went 2-for-3 to lead the CC offense.

The fifth inning proved to be the difference in Game 2. Concordia tied the game at 1-1 with a run in the second and then broke it open with three in the fifth. Riley Irman started the three-run rally with a one-out double. She then scored on a single by fellow Riley – Bergstrom. Brooke Ankerfelt followed with a single and when the SMU catcher missed the relay throw, Bergstrom was able to score on the play. Ankerfelt moved all the way up to third on the play and then scored on a ground out off the bat of Kayla Nack.

The Cobbers once again outhit the Cardinals. CC had seven base knocks as opposed to six for SMU.

Bergstrom and Ankerfelt both had two hits from the No.1-2 spots in the order.     

RALLYING ROBERTS: Sydney Roberts has started to find her offensive mojo. She had a hit in both games on Saturday and has now hit safely in four straight games. She also has a streak of six straight games reaching base. The six-game streak is the longest by any Cobber this season.

WHAT'S NEXT: Concordia will finish off their three-doubleheader weekend, and MIAC season, when they host Augsburg on Sunday, Apr. 29 at 1 p.m.