McGhee Powers Cavs for Split in NAIA West Opener at Menlo
ATHERTON, Calif.—After an 8-3 loss to start the day, Concordia bounced back with an 8-1 win over Menlo College in the nightcap to earn a split in the team's opening day of its NAIA West season.
With the results, Concordia moved to 10-5 on the season while Menlo ended the day at 8-10.
The two teams will square off again for a doubleheader on Saturday. Opening pitch is slated for 11 a.m.
Game 2 – Concordia 8, Menlo 1
Holding a 1-0 lead, Concordia erupted for three runs in the sixth and three more in the ninth to blow away the Oaks in the nightcap at Cartan Field on Friday.
The run support was more than what CU starter
Harrison McGhee (Ramona, Calif./Ramona H.S.) needed as the sophomore hurdled eight-innings of shutout ball to pick up his third win of the season.
McGhee fanned 11 batters while allowing just four hits before turning the ball over to reliever
Ryan McMonigle (Kaneohe, Hawaii/Kailua H.S. ).
The Cavaliers outhit Menlo 11 to 5 with
Blake Evetts (Tigard, Ore./Jesuit H.S.) turning in a 3 for 5 performance at the plate.
Ian Erickson (Astoria, Ore./Astoria H.S.),
Cole Buruse (Ridgefield, Wash./Skyview H.S.) and
Cole Pittman (Salem, Ore./West Salem H.S.) added two hits each for CU with Buruse driving in a pair of runs in the win.
Game 1 – Menlo 8, Concordia 3
Jumping out to a 7-0 lead through two innings, Menlo defeated Concordia 8-3 in the opening game at Cartan Field on Friday.
The Oaks connected on back-to-back two-out hits in the first to plate two runners and added four runs in the second with the use of four singles and two walks.
Concordia broke through in the fifth inning as
Ben Talbot (Lacey, Wash./Timberline H.S.) drove in a run on a sacrifice fly and was followed by an RBI single by
Trent Calmer (Beaverton, Ore./Southridge H.S.) to score
Mike Egami (Moanalua, Hawaii/Moanalua H.S.), who reached on a double to right. The Cavs added a single run in the ninth with a pair of doubles by
Cole Buruse (Ridgefield, Wash./Skyview H.S.) and Elliott North.
Menlo's Daniel Chavez picked up the win after allowing two runs in seven innings of work.