MEQUON, Wis. – The Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Tournament started with a bang for Edgewood College, but the Eagles couldn't hold off Concordia University Wisconsin in the opener. Ryan O'Dell's three-run home run in the top of the first inning gave the Eagles the lead, but the Falcons came back for a 7-3 victory. The Eagles will face top seed Concordia University Chicago Thursday night in an elimination game for Edgewood College.
Edgewood College (16-24) got on the board following a one-out single by Brad Clark. After Clark stole second, Alex Jaskulski moved him to third with an infield single. O'Dell came up and drilled an 0-2 pitch to left field which cleared the fence for a 3-0 Eagles lead. For O'Dell it was his third home run of the season and 11th of his career.
However, Concordia University Wisconsin (21-17) tied the game with two runs in the first and another in the second. Andy Swanson came on to pitch for the Eagles replacing starter Taylor Hillmann and Bryce Ziegler. Swanson held the Falcons in check, striking out five batters until an RBI triple by CUW's Brandon Siefert broke the tie. The Falcons would another run in the seventh and one more in the eighth.
The Eagles missed opportunities in the second and fifth innings. In the second, the Eagles loaded the bases with one out, but Zack Creekmore bounced into a double play to end the threat. In the fifth, Creekmore and O'Dell singled to put runners on first and third with one out, but a strikeout and a flyout let Falcons pitcher Andrew Heideman off the hook.
Seniors Alex Jaskulski and Ryan O'Dell both went 3-for-4 for the game. Jaskulski ran his career hit total to 198, in his quest to become the second Eagle in school history to reach 200 career hits. Clark had two hits and a stolen base. Swanson suffered the loss in relief, giving up four earned runs in six innings.
Edgewood College will meet top-seed Concordia University Chicago at 7:00 p.m. tonight. The Cougars defeated Rockford University 9-3 in the tournament's opening game. The Eagles will need to win to avoid being eliminated.
