Extra-Bases Engineer Win Over Crookston

MOORHEAD, Minn. (4/03/12)—Concordia pounded out eight extra-base hits and cruised past Minnesota Crookston 15-3 on Tuesday in Moorhead. The Cobbers had seven doubles and got a first-inning home run from Braden Rahman to win their second straight game.

Concordia (9-8) entered the game tied for the second fewest extra-base hits in the MIAC but exploded for five extra-base knocks in the first two innings to seize control of the game. Rahman ignited the charge as he had his first collegiate home run in the opening frame and then doubled in the second inning. His long ball to right center scored Jordan Doschadis from second after Doschadis doubles to start the game. "I was just looking for that fastball I could really turn on," said Rahman. "The pitcher put it in there for me and I put a good swing on it and it happened to go out."

The Cobbers scored at least two runs in each of the first three innings to jump out to an 8-2 lead. It was only the fifth time all season CC had scored in the first inning and just the sixth time the Cobbers have scored first in a game. Concordia is now 4-1 when they score in the first frame and 5-1 when they score first in the game.

The other big inning for Concordia came in the sixth inning when they scored six times behind four hits. The Cobbers' ability to stay aggressive at the plate led to 14 total hits in the game – the second highest hit total of the season. CC has now pounded out at least 10 hits in three of their last four games. "We're trying to be a bit more aggressive at the plate," commented head coach Bucky Burgau. "If you see a fastball and it's a good pitch to swing at then go ahead and get after it."

Concordia's aggressive mentality at the plate led to five players having at least two hits in the game, and all but one starting player having at least one hit. Rahman finished the day by going 3-for-5 with four RBI and two runs scored. He also raised his season batting average above .300. The sophomore shortstop is now hitting .302 on the year.

Doschadis, Brad Olson, Michael Olson and Chris Gilson all had two hits in the game and all but Brad Olson had at least one double. Both Doschadis and Michael Olson had a pair of two-base hits on the day. The top six hitters in the CC lineup were a combined 12-for-24 (.500) and had seven of the eight extra-base hits.

Burgau used two pitchers in the game.  Senior Luke Kramer started the game and went the first five innings and then sophomore Kirk Schroeder finished the final two innings. "Both of our pitchers were really efficient today," added Burgau. "Kramer pitched out of two bases-loaded, two-out situations which was good and this was as good of stuff as we've seen out of Kirk this year."

Kramer scattered eight hits through his 5.0 innings and also hit four batters. His ability to get clutch outs in two-out situations allowed him to only concede three earned runs. Schroeder faced one more than the minimum of batters in his two innings of work. He allowed just one hit and struck out one.

Concordia will turn around and host St. Olaf on Wednesday, Apr. 4 at 1 p.m. "St. Olaf's a good program, a proud program and so are we so it should be a good, fun doubleheader, " previewed Burgau.