After a 25-0 beatdown of Trinity University and a nice stretch of victories, the Cougars have put themselves back into contention after a rough start to the season.
After losing 14 of the first 19 games, they managed to win seven of their next nine after playing their home opener. This impressive stretch was capped off by a 25-0 victory against Trinity University.
The Cougars would look to continue their nice run when Judson University would come to Ferrell Field for a quick two game series. The offense wouldn’t score 25 runs, but they didn’t need it in the first game.
Starting Pitcher Tim Brokop threw six innings of quality ball, giving up four hits, two runs, only one earned, and striking out eight batters to go along with his impressive line. Another impressive pitching performance from Brokop.
The Cougars offense would come alive in the 4th inning. Trailing 2-0, DH Jack Gainer would get things going with a leadoff double down the right field line. First baseman Ben Zordani would knock in Gainer from a double of his own to get the Cougars on the board for the first time in the game.
The fifth inning saw Judson make plenty of mistakes in the favor of the Cougars.Left Fielder Griffin Bright would lead on the inning on base after an error. Shortstop Agustin Guerrero would benefit from another Judson error after trying to bunt Bright over to third. After a walk to load the bases, a wild pitch would bring in Bright to tie the ballgame up at two.
The score would be all knotted up in the bottom of the 6th inning when the same mistakes would plague Judson.
Cameron Bright would leadoff the inning on base after the third Judson error of the game. Catcher Matt Bunetta would capitalize on the mistake by doubling in Powell home to take a one run lead.
The Cougars would tack on another run for insurance for closer Erik Eggert as he would pick up his eight save on season, giving the Cougars a 4-2 win in the opener.
The Cougars couldn’t benefit from any Judson miscues in game two of the doubleheader, being blanked 2-0. Judson starting pitcher Dan Gerke pitched a nine inning shutout, only allowing five hits to go along with his nine strikeouts.
Even in a losing effort, Cougars Starting Pitcher Jared Jones pitched seven solid innings, only giving up two runs, one earned. Kyle Sabie would look strong coming out of the bullpen, pitching two scoreless frames.
Things wouldn’t get better quickly in the opener against Trinity International. The Cougars would drop game one of the series 7-1. Better results for the Cougars happened in games two and three of the series.
Coming off his no-hitter against Trinity University, Tyler Hebel would continue pitching like an ace. Hebel would throw another complete game, going seven full innings, allowing only one run with ten strikeouts to go along with it.
After a combined one run the last two games, the Cougars bats finally woke up. Multi-hit games from Garret Bright, Jack Gainer and Matt Monahan would highlight the offensive production. This time the Cougars would win 7-1.
The final game of the series would be a close matchup for the five innings. Knotted up 2-2 in the bottom of the sixth, the Cougars would have their breakout inning.
Already with two outs and no one on base, the Cougars would rally scoring four runs off four hits and one Trinity error. Eggert would come in and pitch 2.2 innings to close out the 6-3 win.
After a three day rest, the Cougars would return to Ferrell Field against St. Ambrose. The game would be a back and forth affair.
Each team would plate a couple runs in the first. St.Ambrose would tally 2 runs in the fourth and four more runs in the fifth.
Trailing 8-2, the Cougars would put up a fight. Gainer would drive in two runs in the bottom of the fifth after two fielding mistakes.
The Cougars would strike for three more runs in the bottom of the sixth, but St.Ambrose would hold off the rally for a 8-7 nailbiter victory.
The second game in the series would be postponed. The Cougars will travel to South Bend, Indiana to take on Indiana University-South Bend.
Upcoming Schedule
(DH) April 11 @Indiana University-South Bend 12:00 pm
@Indiana University-South Bend Game 2
April 14 @Lewis Univeristy 3:00 pm
Dominic Pellegrini
Sports Reporter