BISMARCK, N.D. – With its offense kept in check by strong starting pitching, the University of Mary came up short in both Northern Sun games against visiting Concordia University, St. Paul. The Marauders dropped the opener 8-5 to the Golden Bears before falling 4-2 in the final game of a ten-game home stand.
The Marauders had a promising start in the first game. Already down a run, the Marauders parlayed two walks, an error, a passed ball and a wild pitch into a pair of runs scored by Seth and
Ethan Meide in the first.
After retaking the lead with two runs in the second, the Golden Bears built their lead to 7-2 with four runs on five hits in the fourth inning. The key blow was a two-run single to right by Kyle Dalton.
After CSP tagged on another run in the seventh, U-Mary made a run at a win in the Marauders last at bat of the game. Consecutive run scoring singles by
Sean Hennen, Drew Fueurbach and
Brett Doepker clawed the Marauders within 8-5 with one out. The game would end when the next two Marauders popped out in four territory.
Trenten Hove was 2-for-3 with a run scored. Drew Fueurbach finished 2-for-4 with an RBI.
Ethan Meide went 1-for-3 with two runs scored.
In a solid relief stint, freshman
Will Pettener allowed one run on five hits with two strikeouts in four innings.
One of five Golden Bears to post multiple hits, Dalton finished 3-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBIs.
Kody Knaus earned the win after going 6.1 innings, allowing six hits, six walks and two earned runs with five strikeouts.
U-Mary was forced to play from behind early when Concordia scored three times in the second on a wild pitch, a double steal and an error.
The Marauders broke through with a pair of runs in the sixth.
Ethan Meide led off the inning with a walk and scored on a triple to right center by Fueurbach. A Doepker groundout scored the second run of the inning but left U-Mary short at 3-2.
Down 4-2 with two outs in the ninth, the Marauders would again apply pressure on the Golden Bears. Dixon walked with two outs and
Tom Imholte followed with a bunt single. With the winning run at bat, the game ended on a pop to short.
Fueurbach led the Marauders with a 1-for-3 effort, including a walk, an RBI and a run scored.
Nicholas Stobbe threw probably the best game of his career. The sophomore allowed just five hits, two earned runs and three walks in eight innings. He struck out eight.
Josh Lenz earned the win after giving up two hits, two runs and five walks in 5.1 innings. He struck out seven.
The Marauders return to the road for six straight gams. Next up is a doubleheader at St. Cloud State on April 15.
#marauders#
