The Cougar baseball team picked up some more late season momentum with a doubleheader sweep of Crown College at home this afternoon.

Game 1 Box Score

In game 1, the Cougars used the middle innings and strong pitching from senior Nik Randall to separate for a 6-4 win.  Randall picked up the complete game victory, striking out seven batters, walking just one and and picking up two RBIs to support his efforts.

Both teams picked up runs in the first inning and then Crown crossed two in the top of the third.

The Cougars responded to tie the game when Randall singled home leadoff hitter Nick Bacon.  After another hit, a wild pitch and a walk, the bases were loaded for catcher Mike McGill who drew another walk, bringing home Randall.

UMM would take the lead in the fourth inning when senior Matt Peterson singled home sophomore Chris Thompson.  Peterson would score on a sacrifice fly from Randall a few batters later.

After the third, Randall settled into a tighter rhythm, not allowing Crown another run until the seventh inning.

Bacon finished the game with three hits.

Game 2 Box Score

In game 2, junior Lee Arvold threw a mirror image of Randall's game 1 performance, going the distance, whiffing seven and walking one Crown batter on the way to a 9-5 win.

Peterson led the scoring assault with four RBIs on two doubles, one in the second and one in the third inning.

The Purple Storm would touch Arvold for five runs in the first two innings, but he grew stronger as the game went on, retiring the last nine straight Crown batters to end the game.

UMM broke the game open in the third inning, scoring four runs with two outs.  Bacon singled home senior Scott Barta for the first run.  First year Drew Lundquist followed up with another RBI single, scoring Gary Perrington who had walked.  Then Peterson doubled to left center, clearing the bases.

The win improves UMM to 6-17 on the year, but 5-7 in the UMAC, closer to a playoff spot than when they began the weekend.

The Cougars are home this Tuesday, hosting Wisconsin Lutheran College at 2 p.m.