Seven-Run Third Lifts Cavs to Simpson Split
NEWBERG, Ore.—Combining for 16 hits, Concordia routed Simpson 12-3 in the second game of a NAIA West Region baseball doubleheader played at George Fox’s Morse Field on Friday.
Simpson defeated CU 6-5 in the opener for the first-day split. The two teams will conclude the series with a Saturday doubleheader played at Wilsonville High School. Opening pitch is set for 11 a.m.
After a three-up, three-down first, Concordia (17-26) sent five batters to the plate in the second for a single run and an even dozen batters up in the second to score seven and take an early 8-2 lead. CU notched three walks and six hits in the third-inning outburst.
Tommy Whalen provided the big swing in the inning with a two-run double to left, sending Kyle Schneider and Ben Lanier home. Tyler Anderson followed by connecting with an RBI single to center, Mike Dickman drew a bases-loaded walk and Cameron Baker belted a two-run single to left to help chase Simpson (13-31) starter Greg Thompson.
On the mound for CU, Ross Conway allowed just one additional run the rest of the way after the Red Hawks plated two in the first. Conway pitched the full seven innings to pick up the complete-game win, striking out five while allowing just four hits.
At the plate, CU added four in the sixth with Anderson, J.J. Berg and Brad Himes recording consecutive RBI hits. Whalen ended the game going 4-for-4 at the plate as nine different Cavs posted at least one hit and eight different players at least a single RBI.
Red Hawk Rally in the Ninth for 6-5 Win in Series Opener
NEWBERG, Ore.—Down one in the ninth, Simpson University rallied with two late runs to defeat Concordia 6-5 in NAIA West Region baseball action played at George Fox’s Morse Field on Friday.
With the result, Simpson improved to 13-30 on te year while CU dropped to 16-26.
With both starting pitchers working a perfect game through three innings, the Concordia offense was the first to cash in with a three-run fourth. Back-to-back singles by Brady Miletich and Jimmy Rudig set up a three-run bomb by Jon Houts off of Red Hawk pitcher Shane Hillier.
Simpson was able to get one run back in the top of the fifth with a lead-off single by Kenny Button turning into an unearned run via a passed ball and a two-out single off the bat of teammate Chad Alden.
Both teams added a pair of scores in the sixth to create a 5-3 CU lead. The Red Hawks cut the deficit to one with an RBI single by Chris Rabichaud in the seventh and after getting roughed up in the middle innings, Hillier settled down by allowing solo baserunners in the final two frames to allow the Simpson offense its ninth-inning comeback.
Rabichaud reached first with a one-out single through the right side. CU reliever Myles Stratton, working his third inning, countered with a strikeout to Joshua Corson. An infield bunt hit by Jay Wiley gave the Red Hawks runners at the corners for James Parker, who quickly stroked a single to right, scoring Corson from third. Wiley also scored on the play by way of a throwing error, giving Simpson its first lead of the day.
Hillier retired the Cavs in order in the home half of the ninth to pick up the complete-game win. Hillier struck out three in the outing while not issuing a walk. Hawley lasted six innings, striking out eight and allowing three hits.
Both teams charted 11 hits while Simpson was charged with two errors, compared to one miscue for the Cavs.
Rudig led the Cavaliers at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a run scored.