March 20, 2007
Bismarck, ND - The University of Mary stunned Concordia College by scoring two unearned runs in the bottom of the ninth to win 5-4 in non-conference baseball action.
Down one run, senior 3B Derek McKeil (Swift Current, SK) opened the ninth with a single and was replaced on the basepath by freshman pinch runner Ryan Nelson (Stillwater, MN). Cobber pitcher Adam Johnson, who moved to the mound at the start of the inning from third base, struck out the next two Marauders. With two outs, freshman SS and leadoff hitter Andy Leer (Williston, ND) earned his fourth walk of the day, moving Nelson to second base.
Junior Derek Dungan (Missoula, MT), seeking his first hit of the season, came to the plate as a pinch hitter. He proceeded to rip a shot off Johnson for an infield hit that would have loaded the bases, but 3B Scott Schumacher, who had just replaced Johnson at the hot corner, attempted to make a play on Dungan at first. The throw was off target and scooted down the right field line. Nelson and Leer, off on contact, both came around to score on the play with Leer sliding across home plate with the winning run well ahead of the throw and capping the Marauders improbable comeback.
In a close game throughout, Concordia jumped out to a quick lead, scoring twice in the top of the first on two hits and two walks.
U-Mary would close the gap to one run when freshman 1B Tyler Liffrig (Williston, ND) crushed a ball over the center field fence for his first collegiate home run.
The Marauders would score single runs in the fifth and sixth innings to take a 3-2 lead. In the fifth, Leer walked with two outs, stole second, and scored on a pinch hit single by sophomore Erik Fladmo (Billings, MT). Junior RF Mike Feldman (Bismarck, ND) doubled to lead off the sixth and scored on a single by sophomore C Brennan Quintus (Dickinson, ND).
Concordia would respond in the seventh by scoring two unearned runs. Tyler Doll started the inning by reaching second on an error by Leer. Jake Krause would walk and both runners would advance on a sacrifice bunt. Doll would be thrown out at home by Leer for the first out of the inning, but Krause moved to third and the batter, Michael Hinde, took second on the throw. Krause would score on a wild pitch and Hinde would give the Cobbers a 4-3 lead when he scored on an error by McKiel at third.
U-Mary was unable to mount a scoring threat in the seventh or eighth inning, setting up the ninth inning fireworks.
Feldman pitched a scoreless ninth inning and picked up the win for the Marauders, improving to 1-2 on the season. Johnson received the loss for the Cobbers.
The Marauders improve to 4-9 on the season in their first home game of the season. U-Mary opens its Northern Sun season this weekend with games scheduled at Southwest Minnesota State University. The Cobbers fall to 1-7.
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