Rio Grande Sports Information
RIO GRANDE, Ohio - Just when it looked like the University of Rio Grande was ready to salvage a split of its non-conference baseball doubleheader with Concordia University-Ann Arbor, the wheels fell off the RedStorm's wagon.
Down to their final three outs, the visiting Cardinals erupted for seven seventh inning runs to rally for an 8-5 game two win at chilly, overcast Bob Evans Field.
The come-from-behind victory came on the heels of an 8-3 CUAA triumph in game one.
The Cardinals improved to 8-2 with the sweep.
Rio Grande, which had a seven-game winning streak snapped, finished the day at 9-9 with the losses.
The RedStorm appeared on their way to dividing the twin bill after scoring four times with two outs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 5-1 advantage.
Then came the brutal seventh inning.
Josh Burke was hit by a pitch to open the frame before Alex Piotrowski and Kyle Hebner was hit by a pitch to load the bases.
Rio freshman starter Connor Gullett (Cincinnati, OH) was lifted in favor of junior Hayden Simon (Stouffville, Ontario, Canada), who was promptly greeted by a two-run single from Harrison Ryan to make it 5-3.
A groundout by Gus Simon put runners at second and third and Jake Kuhlman was intentionally walked to set up a force play at any base.
Derek Hebner drew a walk to force in another run and make it 5-4 and Justin Kozlowski followed with a go-ahead two-run single moments later.
Tyler Wressel followed with a bunt along the third base line which turned into a single and produced another run when the RedStorm failed to cover first base on the play.
Simon was bounced in favor of redshirt sophomore Max Garrelts (Overland Park, KS) who promptly walked Burke to reload the bases.
One out later, Kyle Hebner drew another walk to force in another run and give the Cardinals an 8-5 lead.
The RedStorm went down in order in the bottom of the seventh.
Wressel finished 2-for-4 in the winning effort, while Dave Rozmys - the last of three CUAA pitchers - earned the win despite allowing a hit, three walks and two runs over two innings.
Senior Beiker Fuentes (Crystal Lake, IL) had a two-run single in Rio's four-run sixth.
Simon took the loss for the RedStorm, allowing three hits, two walks and four runs over one-third of an inning.
In game one, the Cardinals controlled throughout by scoring single runs in the each of the first three innings before adding three runs in the fourth and a pair of fifth inning markers.
Trey Acker went the distance to get the win for Concordia, allowing five hits and three runs - two earned - with four strikeouts.
Senior Gabe Carter (Huntington, WV) started and lost for Rio, allowing seven hits and six runs - four earned - over three innings.
Kuhlman went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI for the Cardinals, while Burke was 2-for-4.
Freshman Gregory Catano (Miami, FL) was 2-for-3 with a triple and redshirt sophomore Brett Haskins (Evans, WV) added an RBI double in the loss.
The two teams wrap up their weekend series on Saturday with two more seven-inning contests.
First pitch for the opener is set for noon.
