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ST. PAUL, Minn. - Concordia-St. Paul (15-11, 8-6 NSIC) picked up a key split in conference play today against Sioux Falls (16-22, 12-12) in its home opener at Barnes Field. The Golden Bears won game one 5-2 behind 6.0 one-hit innings from junior Adam Kramer (Wausau, Wis.) before falling 10-2 in the second game.

The split was key as the Cougars are chasing the Golden Bears in the conference standings. Both teams are currently in field for an NSIC Tournament bid. Concordia has eight games remaining on the schedule, including two more with Sioux Falls tomorrow at noon to complete the season series.

GAME 1: Concordia 5, Sioux Falls 2
Junior right hander Adam Kramer (Wausau, Wis.) took a no-hit bid into the sixth inning of a seven inning contest, finally allowing a chopper through the left side of the infield. It was the only hit he'd surrender.

Meanwhile, Concordia jumped on Sioux Falls' top starter Derek Fischer with a four run first inning. The Golden Bears loaded the bases on a pair of walks and a hit by pitch, with RBI singles from Elliot Powell (Minnetonka, Minn.) and Conor McDougall (Victoria, B.C.) bringing in the first two runs before a two-run double the other way down the right field line by Eric Fasnacht (Eden Prairie, Minn.) scored two more.

Concordia added insurance for Kramer in the fourth as Greg Larpenter (Urbandale, Iowa) drove in a run with a fielder's choice after back-to-back singles by Trevon Bargfrede (Jackson, Minn.) and Paul Giel (Minnetonka, Minn.) started the inning.

Kramer was in command from the start, starting out the first batter and setting down the first eight he'd face before a two out walk in the third inning. He went back to work, retiring the next five before a one out walk in the fifth, getting the next two batters as well.

The sixth inning was the only time he was in trouble after the only hit he'd surrender, as he hit the next batter followed by a fielding error. A passed ball and a ground out scored the game's only two runs for the Cougars.

Kramer's line was complete after six, allowing just one earned run (two total) with three strikeouts and two walks on 90 pitches. He picked up the win to improve to 5-1 with a 2.68 earned run average. Adam Fredericks (Minnetonka, Minn.) pitched a 1-2-3 seventh, inducing three ground outs to pick up his second save.

McDougall led the offense with a 2-3 game including his second double of the year. Fasnacht's first inning double was his third and Larpenter also delivered a double, his sixth. Larpenter also stole his second base and went 1-3 with a walk, continuing to get on base at a high clip (more on Larpenter below...).

Fischer was hit with the loss for USF, working 6.0 innings while allowing all five runs. He struck out nine while surrendering eight hits and three walks. He fell to 3-8 with the complete game loss.

GAME 2: Sioux Falls 10, Concordia 2
The second game began with Larpenter skying a home run to left field in the first inning with two outs to give Concordia 1-0 lead. It was the first of six home runs hit between the two teams in the game.

Unfortunately for the host Golden Bears, Sioux Falls hit the next five home runs. They tied the game in the second inning with a solo and added a two-run homer in the fourth to take their first lead at 3-1.

Other than the early home runs, senior right hander Andy Fagely (Mahtomedi, Minn.) was effective through the early and middle innings.

Concordia had a chance to do some damage in the fourth inning, trailing 3-1. A leadoff double to left by Ryan Poppitz (Plymouth, Minn.) was followed by a 13-pitch at bat that led to a Powell walk. The two moved up on a sharp ground out to the right side by McDougall, but they were stranded on second and third even after David Henke (New Berlin, Wis.) was hit by pitch to load the bases with two outs.

After that, Concordia wouldn't get a hit until the seventh inning, a stray two out single by Giel.

Sioux Falls starter Henry Ojeda worked the first seven innings, scattering four hits and allowing just the solo homer. He walked four and struck out four. He'd pick up the win, improving to 3-4.

In the seventh, USF ran away with the game, hitting a solo and a three run homer off Fagely to chase him from the game. Fagely took the loss, falling to 3-3. He worked 6.1 innings and was charged with eight runs on 12 hits with three strikeouts.

Kyle Connelly (Zimmerman, Minn.) made his Concordia debut in relief, working the last 2.2 innings, allowing just two hits and a walk. He did allow a two run home run in the ninth inning as the only damage against him.

Larpenter went 2-4 with a double and a homer in the second game, going 3-7 with a walk in his eight plate appearances of the doubleheader. He's reached base in all 26 games played this season (hit, walk or HBP) and has a team leading .474 on base percentage while hitting .342 with a .539 slugging percentage. He leads the team in virtually every offensive statistic with seven doubles, 14 RBI and 14 walks while playing a blemish-free defensive center field.

The Cougars were led by Damian Kardas with a two home run game, going 3-5 with three RBI. The three through seven spots in the USF lineup combined to hit 11-20 with four of the five USF homers.

The second game was senior day for the Golden Bears, with nine of the team's seniors playing in the contest. The lone exception was Griff Kilber (Chanhassen, Minn.), who could be used in a key role on the mound tomorrow. Starting pitching probables have not been announced, though.

The highlight came with two outs in the ninth inning when Zach Goodwin (Mahtomedi, Minn.) came on for his first time at the plate since his sophomore year. The right handed pitcher, formerly a two-way player as an outfielder earlier in his career, drew a two-out walk which allowed senior left handed pitcher Patrick Rydeen (Lakeland, Minn.) a chance at the plate. Rydeen, a left handed hitter as well, fought off a 2-1 pitch for an infield single to shortstop. With the hit, Rydeen has more hits this season in just one at bat than he's allowed in three relief appearances on the mound.