1996 Box Scores
by Aaron Boll
Photo by Peter Frank
Jim McCormick delivers a pitch during practice
For Concordia baseball players, spring officially arrives when they can move from the cramped confines of the Olson Forum and start playing baseball outdoors. This past week, spring finally arrived.
Wednesday, the Cobbers split with St. Olaf, winning 2-0 and losing 2-0.
In the win, junior Greg Salvevold and senior Jeff Spanier drove in the gameâs only runs. Spanier and juniors Jeremy Holm and Dan Zinger got the only hits for the Cobbers.
During the past week, the Cobbers swept double headers on the road against Carleton by scores of 10-8 and 6-4 as well as Augsburg 1-0 and 7-6. At home, the Cobbers split games with Gustavus, winning 5-3 and losing 3-2.
Cobber coach Bucky Burgau was pleased with how his team got off to a good start in the conference.
ãLast year, we had the same 6-2 record as we do now, and we went on to win the conference championship,ä he said.
Coach Burgau stated that in order to defend the MIAC trophy this year, certain fundamentals must be used. ãA good baseball team has to have pitchers that can throw strikes, players who can hit the ball and play good, solid defense ... and I think we have that.ä
So far, the Cobbers are proving their coachâs impression of them to be true.
Junior outfielder Randy Razidlo is showing he can hit the ball - and with power only the Detroit Tigerâs Cecil Fielder can match. Razidlo, the recent winner of the MIAC Player of the Week award, belted a three-run home run against Carleton to help contribute to a Cobber win.
To prove it wasnât a fluke, he smashed a grand slam against Gustavus to secure another Cobber win.
ãItâs nice to be recognized individually, but the bottom line is whether or not we win,ä Razidlo said.
Starting the conference season off on such a hot foot doesnât seem to affect Razidloâs mind-set on the game or add any additional pressure to continue to do well.
ãIf I play my game and play smart, I think the numbers will show themselves,ä he said.
Not only are the Cobbers showing power in the batterâs box, but also on the pitcherâs mound. Junior Jim McCormick, Salvevold and senior closer Stu Lang are all throwing exceptionally well.
ãThe key for winning is to just let them hit the ball and let our defense do the job,ä McCormick said.
Another force on the mound is first-year student Ethan Pole. ãPole-ErBear,ä as his teammates call him, threw a two-hit, complete game shut out over Augsburg Tuesday.
ãPole just plain ran over Augsburg batters like a steam roller over hot tar,ä said sophomore catcher Matt Bergstrom.
Even after his successful outing against Augsburg, Pole kept things in perspective.
ãIâm just learning after those guys [the Cobber veteran pitching staff]. Iâm just a freshman taking in the experience,ä he said.
Concordiaâs schedule doesnât get any easier in the future. On Saturday, the Cobbers travel to St. Thomas, the MIAC leaders, holding a 6-0 record as of Wednesday.
ãIt would be really nice to sweep St. Thomas,ä Razidlo said. ãIf we win two games down there, weâll put ourselves in a good spot to make a run at the MIAC title.ä
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