Taking a break from CCIW play, the Cardinals looked to test themselves against the number one team in the nation, Concordia University Chicago.
Freshman Luke Lamm took the mound for the Cardinals and put up a good fight early on against the most explosive offense in the country. Lamm pitched a quick first inning by retiring the first three batters he faced.
In the second inning, however, Concordia took the 1-0 lead with a single to shallow right to bring in an unearned run from third after an error by catcher Rob Marinec, ’21. Marinec threw a ball into center while trying to put out the runner stealing second.
Lamm seemed unfazed for a while after he was able to get out of multiple jams to keep it close at 1-0. Then, in the sixth, Lamm hit two batters which ended up scoring a run on a single to make it 2-0 Concordia, but he was able to stop the bleeding by forcing a double play to end the inning. Lamm ended his outing with six hits allowed, one earned run and two strikeouts.
The Cardinals were finally able to get the bats going in the seventh inning with a couple of hits and a big bunt which led to an infield single loaded the bases. Matt Sutherland, ‘19, connected for a two-RBI single which tied the game at two.
Concordia entered the eighth after giving up the lead and woke up the offense for the final push. Concordia singled to score a runner from third to take a 3-2 lead. The Cardinals were not able to string the hits together in the ninth to make a comeback as that would prove to be the edge for Concordia as they win a tough defensive game.
With the loss, the Cardinals fall to 23-8 on the season while Concordia improves to 29-3. The Cardinals next game will be this Saturday, April 27 as they begin a three-game weekend series against Augustana College.
