PORTLAND, Ore. – Another pitcher's duel went the way of Concordia in the opener of the doubleheader, followed by a tough extra innings loss in game two, as Saint Martin's fell in both ends to Concordia on Sunday afternoon.
Like the first game of the series yesterday, the Saints (6-6, 1-3 GNAC) and the Cavaliers (4-9, 3-1) were locked into a pitcher's duel. Concordia struck first in the game, scoring on a sac fly in the second inning. The Cavaliers added to their lead in the fourth inning with a RBI double to right center to extend the score to 2-0.
Saint Martin's got on the board in the sixth inning, starting with a one out double by
Aaron Renaud. After a strikeout,
Cody Chavis came through in the clutch with a RBI single to left center, driving in Renaud, and cutting the lead in half.
However, the Saints were unable to capitalize on their best opportunity to tie the game, coming in the eighth inning.
Dakota Hill led off the inning with a walk, and reached second on a sac bunt. Renaud was intentionally walked to set up two on with one out. The Cavaliers worked out of the jam with back-to-back strikeouts.
Derek Alumbaugh (0-2) got the start for the Saints, going five innings, allowing two runs on eight hits with seven punchouts.
Finnley Butler pitched the next 2.1 innings, throwing shutout baseball before
Zach Alcos closed out the final two outs.
The Saints' bats got going quickly in the second billing, scoring three in the top of the first.
Cody Chavis drew the bases loaded walk to set up
Chayson Dulatre, who singled up the middle, scoring two more runs.
Concordia responded right back, adding two runs of their own in the bottom half of the frame. In the top of the second, the Saints added their fourth run of the game, scoring on a double steal that allowed
Isaac Hegamin to come home before Renaud could be called out.
In the third and fourth inning, Concordia managed to slowly chip away and eventually tie the game, scoring a run in each of the innings. The score remained tied at 4-4 after seven, leading to extra innings.
Saint Martin's once again had an opportunity to win the game, loading the bases with nobody out in the ninth inning. However Renaud and Hill struck out, followed by Chavis flying out to right to leave all three on base.
Concordia managed to take advantage of their bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, scoring the game-winning run on a walk to take the game and the series.
Justice Yamashita got the start but only lasted two innings, allowing three runs.
Drew Rose came in for the next four innings, allowing just one run while striking out four.
James Gunther pitched two shutout innings in the seventh and eighth.
Troy McCormick (0-1) earned the loss, allowing both of his batters on base, and Alcos got one out, but allowed the game-winning base on balls.
The Saints come home to Lacey for their first home games of the season next weekend, taking on Montana State Billings on Friday at noon.
