Concordia starting pitcher Eddie Crowe gave up only two hits over eight shutout innings to lead the Cavs to a 1-0 win over Menlo on Friday.
Cavs Snap Menlo's 10-Game Winning Streak Behind Crowe's Gem
BOX SCORE
PORTLAND—CU starting pitcher Eddie Crowe threw eight shutouts innings as the Concordia baseball snapped Menlo’s 10-game winning streak by beating the Oaks 1-0 at Porter Park on Friday.
Crowe dominated from the mound in the game, as the junior pitcher gave up only two hits to a team that came into the game hitting .326 in league games this season. Crowe only put eight runners on in the game overall, and contrasted that with nine strikeouts.
The Cavs’ offense, meanwhile, scored the only run of the game in the sixth, without getting a hit in the inning.
With the result, Concordia improved to 19-21 overall and 10-11 in the NAIA West, while Menlo dropped to 25-15 overall and 14-7 in the NAIA West.
The Cavs got their lone run of the game with two outs in the bottom of the sixth. Ben Talbot started the rally, as he reached on a hit by a pitch. Julian Burgess then pinch ran for Talbot, and quickly moved up to third on a stolen base and a passed ball. Burgess then scored on a wild pitch from there.
Both teams had chances to score outside of the sixth, particularly in the second inning when each team stranded three runners on base. The Cavs got out of the top of the second when Menlo’s Ronnie Schivo flew out to left with the bases loaded, while the Oaks got out of the bottom of the inning when the Cavs’ C.J. Watson grounded out to first.
The Oaks also had a chance to score when Jimmy Bosco, the national leader in home runs and slugging percentage, tripled with two outs in the top of the eighth. Crowe struck out the next Menlo batter in the eighth, however, stranding Bosco at third.
Bosco and Michael Brandi finished with the Oaks’ two hits in the game, while designated hitter Daniel Comstock drew three walks.
The Cavs only had three hits of their own in the game, with sophomore center fielder Blake Drake accounting for two of them. Cole Buruse had the other hit for the Cavs, which came amid the team’s rally in the second, while Cole Shidaki finished with two walks in the game.
From the mound, Crowe outdueled Menlo starting pitcher Joey Webb for the win, even as Webb had his own dominant game from the mound, giving up only three hits and an unearned run over seven full innings.
Blake Evetts, meanwhile, picked up a save after shutting the Oaks down in the ninth.
The Cavs and the Oaks will continue their series with a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, April 13.