TUCSON, Ariz. – The Concordia University baseball team is beginning to develop some early season confidence, now a winner in four of its last five after sweeping a doubleheader from Waldorf University (Iowa) as the Tucson Invitational continued on Sunday evening (March 3). The Bulldogs won by scores of 9-5 and 6-4 while in action at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson.
This was day two of the spring break trip for fifth-year head coach Ryan Dupic’s squad. Concordia has moved to 4-4 overall.
“You could see it after the games. The guys were really energized,” Dupic said. “I’m really happy to see them playing well and getting some wins under our belt. We’re headed in the right direction. I think the team just has a nice vibe right now. They’re fun to be around. They’re a good group of guys. We still have a lot of baseball left down here to play and a lot of work to do to get better.”
In Sunday’s opener, Jake Fosgett got the nod on the mound and fired the first six innings before giving way to Michael Coppens for the seventh. Coppens tossed a 1-2-3 final frame to lock down the victory.
Fosgett and Coppens were supported well by the offensive attack. Wade Council, Carson Lindell and Christian Meza each had two hits. Evan Bohman also delivered a three-run homer. Dupic gave credit to a bench that contributed at the plate and in the field.
In game two, the Bulldogs fought back from a 4-1 deficit and tied the game with a three-run fifth. Keaton Candor emerged with a two-out, two-run single in the sixth to push across the deciding tallies. Beau Dorman and Logan Ryan notched a pair of hits apiece. Tanner Wauhob recorded his second complete game in as many starts while earning the win on the mound. The second contest ended with Johnny May making a sprawling catch into the left centerfield gap for the final out.
The Bulldogs will play twice for the third day in a row with a pair of NCAA Division II opponents on the docket for Monday’s go-round at the Tucson Invite. Dupic’s squad will take on St. Cloud State University (Min.) at 3 p.m. MT / 4 p.m. CT before capping the day against Concordia University St. Paul at 6:30 p.m. MT / 7:30 p.m. CT. CUNE will try to avenge a 4-3 loss that came against the Golden Bears on Saturday.