Falcons build early lead, outlast Warriors in Sunday opener

Teams combine for 40 hits in first game of doubleheader

Junior Ryan Pollesch was 4-for-5 for WLC in game one on Sunday

Box Score

WEST BEND, Wis. – Concordia Wisconsin built up an early lead and held on as it outlasted Wisconsin Lutheran 17-10 in game one of a Northern Athletics Conference baseball doubleheader at Kuss Field on Sunday.

The Falcons used 15 hits and a few WLC defensive miscues to spot themselves a 14-0 lead after three innings of play. 

Wisconsin Lutheran outscored the Falcons 10-3 for the rest of the game, but it was not enough to overcome its early deficit. The Warriors finished with 19 hits and all 11 players who saw action contributed with at least one hit. 

Junior Ryan Pollesch (Markesan, Wis./Markesan) led the Warriors by going 4-for-5, while freshman Tyler Schoen (Marion, Wis./Marion) went 2-for-3 with three runs knocked in. Junior Justin Barkhurst (Crete, Ill./Illinois Lutheran) had three hits and three runs scored and junior Brad Marshall (Cudahy, Wis./Wisconsin Lutheran) was 2-for-2 with two RBIs. 

Senior John Lynch (Rosendale, Wis./Laconia) was handed the defeat (2-4). Pollesch was effective out of the bullpen, allowing four earned runs in 6.0 innings of relief work. 

Ryan Schilter was 4-for-6 for the Falcons (18-13, 12-5 NAC), with a home run and three RBIs. Austin Sarauer belted two home runs and knocked in three runs. Adam Martz also had three RBIs and three runs scored. Matt Parrent was credited with the win (4-2), giving up 10 runs on 18 hits in 8.0 innings pitched.   

Wisconsin Lutheran (9-25, 5-14) battles the Falcons in the second game of its doubleheader on Sunday at 4 p.m. at Kuss Field in West Bend, Wis.