Concordia Upsets No. 1 OKC
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla.-Behind back-to-back home runs in the first inning, No. 17-ranked Concordia defeated top-ranked Oklahoma City University 3-1 at Ann Lacy Stadium on Tuesday.
Concordia (42-16) now stands as the lone undefeated team in the Oklahoma City bracket and stands one win away from advancing to the NAIA World Series. The Cavs are set to take the field at 12 p.m. on Wednesday.
Oklahoma City (53-5) will turn around and play the late game on Tuesday night in hopes for a rematch against the Cavaliers.
The CU defense played an immediate role in the upset as the team turned a triple play to end a looming threat in the first inning. With the bases loaded, CU starter Lucy Baldovino enduced a liner to second base where Destinee Chang tossed to first for the second out. With the runner on third already across the plate for a would-be score, the Cavs threw to third for the final out.
After avoiding the early deficit, Kelsie Merritt drew a one-out walk and was driven home two batters later on a shot by Kate Santos that stayed just feet inside the left-field foul pole. One batter later, Chang delivered a solo shot to left for a 3-0 advantage. The two home runs represented the lone hits in the win.
With the lead, Baldovino allowed four hits through 5 1/3 innings of work before being relieved by Mattie Boucher. Baldovino walked three and struck out three to improve to 26-4 on the season. Boucher allowed two hits in the seventh but recorded a pair of groundouts to end the game and earn the save.
OKC stranded eight runners on base compared to just one for the Cavaliers.