Warhawks slide by Concordia (Ill) 7-6

Entering Wednesday’s non-conference game vs. Concordia (Chicago) one had a feeling it might be a high-scoring affair.

Concordia arrived in Whitewater ranked sixth in Division III statistics averaging 9.5 runs per game. The Hawks close behind with an 8.7 runs per game average ranked 17th in the country.

The Warhawks jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Whitewater strung three hits together including RBI singles by Rob Coe and Sam Keller.

The Cougars immediately come back in the second by loading the bases with no one out. One runner scored on a double play. Concordia’s Brenan Schultz followed with an RBI single to knot the game up at 2-2.

Concordia first baseman Ryan Pacyga ripped his fourth home of the season in the top of the third to put the Cougars in front 3-2.

A one out double by Eichstaedt started the bottom of the third. Coe picked up his second RBI by singling him in, and designated hitter Sam Keller’s first triple of the season put the Warhawks back in front 4-3.

Cougar second baseman Robert Weis’ RBI double with two outs in the top of the fourth tied the score at 4-4.

Tincher struggled on the mound early by giving up the two runs on five hits through two innings.

The senior lefty would last only four innings giving up 5 runs and 11 hits. Justin Lambert, in relief of Tincher,

Matt Beyer gave the Hawks a 5-4 lead in the fourth inning with his first home run of the season.

Riley Tincher struggled on the mound for much of the game as head coach John Vodenlich brought in Justin Lambert out of the bullpen following the first batter in the top of the fifth inning.

Tincher’s pitching line for the game: 5 runs on 11 hits. The lefty walked one and struck out two.

Concordia shortstop Eric Ignatowski singled in two runs to put Concordia back in front 6-5 in the fifth.

Lambert, who was coming off a solid start last Monday at Stout was equally as impressive against Concordia (Chicago) Thursday afternoon. The freshman righthander gave up just one run and two hits in four-and-a-third innings of quality relief pitching.

Whitewater retook the lead in the sixth combining a walk, a double by Jared Fon and a sacrifice fly by Matt Beyer for his second RBI of the afternoon. Centerfielder Dylan Friend finished off the inning with what turned out to be a game-winning RBI to put the Hawks in front for good at 7 to 6.

Jeff Donovan came on with one out in the ninth and got the final two outs (strike out and ground out) for his first save of the season.

The final line score:
UW-Whitewater: 7 runs 10 hits 0 errors, 4 LOB
Concordia (Chicago): 6 runs 14 hits 1 error, 9 LOB

With the win, UW-Whitewater improves it’s season record to 21 & 5. Concordia (Chicago) drops to 20 & 5.

The Warhawks are off until next Wednesday when they will host conference rival UW-Platteville for a twinbill on Prucha Field at James B. Miller Stadium.