(March 2, 2010 - Auburndale, Florida) -- Brad Roettger was chomping at the bit to get back on the mound and get the 2009 season behind him. After a strong freshman season, Roettger struggled as a sophomore, but if Tuesday afternoon was any indication, year three looks to be a strong campaign for the righty hurler. Roettger (Jr. - Sterling Heights, Mich.) threw a complete game allowing six hits and two walks with five strikeouts as the Concordia Cardinals won 12-2 in five innings over Point Park in game one of a twinbill. The nightcap wasn't as favorable as the Pioneers hit three home runs off starter Ryan Noack in a 9-5 victory over the Cards.

After Point Park scored a run in the top of the first, Concordia reponded with a single run themselves in the bottom of the frame.

With one out, Zach Paustian (Jr. - Rock Island, Ill.) walked and subsequently stole second. After Zach Johnston (Sr. - Ionia, Mich.) was walked, Tony Pounders (Sr. - Livonia, Mich.) was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Frank Persichino (Sr. - Sterling Heights, Mich.) was also struck by a thrown ball from the Pioneer hurler to pick up the hard RBI scoring Paustian. Point Park escaped the jam by enticing Kevin Connors (Jr. - Tecumseh, Mich.) into a double-play.

The Pioneers would add a run in the second, before Concordia picked up a trio in the bottom of the inning. Derek Knuth (Jr. - St. Joseph, Mich.) singled and swiped second as Andrew Jacinto (Jr. - Toronto, Ont.) struck out swinging. Knuth moved to third on a Joe Berklich (So. - Dexter, Mich.) sacrifice fly. After Zane Johnston (Sr. - Ionia, Mich.) walked, Knuth would score on a Paustian single with Johnston moving to third and Paustian to second on the throw.

Zach Johnston would double scoring both runners and giving the Cardinals the lead for good as they teams headed to the third with Concordia up 4-2.

Roettger would settle down and would allow only two hits and a walk for what would be the final three innings of the game.

After failing to score in the third and fourth innings, the Cards struck for eight in the fifth to register the mercy-victory.

Persichino opened the frame with a monster home run with Connors reaching safely after an error by the third baseman. After a pitching change, Knuth welcomed the new hurler with a single moving Connors to second. The two runners each moved up a base after a wild pitch allowing Jacinto to pick up an RBI with a single scoring Connors and moving Knuth to third. Alex Reuter (So. - Brighton, Mich.) would reach after another error at third for Point Park scoring Knuth with a one-out tally. Kevin Krysiak (So. - Madison Heights, Mich.) would run for Reuter and would move up a base after a walk to Zane Johnston.

A third error in the inning by the Pioneer third baseman allowed Paustian to reach loading the bases. Zach Johnston would hit a deep single moving everyone up a base, followed by a Pounders single that did likewise. Persichino picked up his second and third RBI of the frame after singling to score Paustian and Zach Johnston . Connors was hit by a pitch to load the bases, with Zeb Hancock (Fr. - Wayne, Mich.) coming on to run with bases loaded. With two outs and on the brink of getting out of the frame avoiding the mercy rule, the Point Park pitcher uncorked a wild pitch allowing Pounders to score the 12th and final run of the game.

Unfortunately, a sweep escaped the Cardinal talons as Ryan Noack surrendered nine runs, seven of them earned, in four innings of work with three balls leaving the park.

Concordia, trailing 5-0 early, mounted two minor comebacks, but could never really pick up the big hit when necessary as playing behind took it's toll.

Clifford Buttermore (Fr. - Plymouth, Mich.) and William Tidwell (So. - Canton, Mich.) were strong out of the pen as the duo each threw an inning and allowed only one walk total with no hits nor runs scored.

Reuter continued his hot hitting by picking up a pair of hits while Pounders added two RBI.

Concordia (2-2) will have an off day on Wednesday before resuming action on Thursday with a double-header against Notre Dame College.