Cougars start 5-0 on Arizona Spring Training Trip

The Concordia University Chicago Baseball Cougars have started their 2008 campaign by winning their first five games.

Playing in the Phoenix, Arizona area, Concordia has so far taken four games from two Pennsylvania schools, Gwynedd-Mercy College and Waynesburg University, and a fifth game from the University of Dubuque.

Junior shortstop Jack Walker is leading the Cougar offense with a .526 batting average, with 10 hits, including a triple. Senior catcher J.D. Rotzoll is hitting .458 and leads the team with 11 hits, including three doubles and two triples and 8 RBI. Sophomore Brandon Isaac also has 8 RBI.

Junior Matt Kudlik, sophomore Tommy Meyers and seniors Ryan Hantel and Carl Petersen have each notched wins for the Cougars during this streak. Peterson struck out 10 of the 28 batters he faced in Sunday's game against Gwynedd Mercy. Senior Ted Gernand has appeared four times so far, with four scoreless innings pitched. Junior lefty Joe Leyhane has the other Concordia win during this streak. Leyhane threw six scoreless innings in the second game of Monday's doubleheader against Waynesburg, giving up two hits, striking out four and walking two.

The Cougars have games Thursday, Friday and Saturday before leaving Arizona. Concordia opens its home season on March 26 against Wheaton College.