SAINT PETER, Minn. – In rain soaked Tuesday afternoon that had a 45-minute delay to start the game and another hour-long delay in the sixth inning, the Gustavus baseball team suffered a 5-4, 11-inning loss to Concordia. The Gusties drop to 18-3 overall and 13-3 in the MIAC, while the Cobbers improve to 12-11 and 6-7 in the league.
The Gusties started strong with three runs in the first inning. Bryce Novak (So., Cleveland) singled, followed by walks to Jack Hanson (Jr., Minnetonka) and Cole Pengilly (Sr., Le Sueur) to load the bases for Nick Azar (Jr., Edina) who roped a double down the left field line to clear the bases.
The Cobbers returned the favor in the fourth with three runs on as many hits. The leadoff batter hit a home run, followed by a pair of walks and an RBI single. Damon Rademacher (Sr., Princeton) came in relief and a run to scored on a passed ball. Rademacher was able to strand the bases full to limit the damage.
Gustavus regained a one-run lead in the fifth as Pengilly bunted for hit, advanced to second on a single by Azar, stole third, and scored on a sac fly by Chris Knowles (Fy., New Ulm). Concordia immediately answered in the sixth by taking advantage of an error. A walk put a runner on first and an error in deep left field allowed that runner to score. The game was halted in the middle of the sixth for a lightning and rain delay that lasted one hour.
After the game resumed, the Gusties put together a number of scoring threats but ended up stranding 10 runners in the final six innings. The Cobbers scored what proved to be the game-winning run in the 11th inning after a hit-by-pitch, sac bunt, single, and sac fly.
The Gusties used five pitchers in the loss, allowing three earned runs on seven hits. Novak led the team at the dish, batting 2-for-4 with a run, two walks, and three stolen bases.
The second game of the doubleheader was cancelled due to the weather.
Gustavus hosts St. Olaf for a MIAC doubleheader Saturday starting at 1 p.m.