The Charger baseball team dropped their doubleheader against the visiting Concordia Bulldogs at the Bishop Mueller Complex Sunday afternoon.
 
Game one – L, 5-2
The Bulldogs struck early, plating two runs in the top of the first inning on a two-run home run by Jake Watson to take an immediate 2-0 lead. CUNE added to their advantage in the fourth, using an RBI single from Jimmy Blumberg to extend the lead to 3-0.
 
The Chargers threatened in the middle innings but struggled to capitalize against Concordia starter Alex Johnson, who worked six innings while allowing just one run and striking out 10.
 
The Cliff broke through in the bottom of the fifth inning when Cade Marquardt connected on a solo home run to cut the deficit to 3-1. However, Concordia responded in the sixth as Blumberg delivered again, this time with a two-run homer to push the lead to 5-1.
 
Briar Cliff added a run in the bottom of the seventh. After a leadoff walk by Nico Sall, Damon Schmid drove in a run with a double to left field to make it 5-2, but the Chargers were unable to complete the comeback.
 
Marquardt led the Chargers offensively, going 2-for-4 with a home run and an RBI. Schmid also recorded a strong day at the plate, finishing 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
 
Brock Saya took the loss on the mound for Briar Cliff, allowing four runs on seven hits over 5.1 innings while striking out five.
 
Game two – L, 12-2
Concordia jumped out to an early lead in the opening inning, using a two-run home run from Andrew Fetty to take a 2-0 advantage. Briar Cliff answered in the bottom half of the frame as Cade Marquardt delivered a solo home run to cut the deficit to 2-1.
 
The Bulldogs continued to build their lead over the next several innings, adding a run in the second and another in the third to extend the lead to 4-1. Concordia broke the game open in the fifth inning, capitalizing on a series of miscues and timely hitting to score three runs and push the lead to 7-1.
 
Briar Cliff plated its second run in the bottom of the fifth when Damon Schmid drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, trimming the deficit to 7-2.
 
From there, Concordia's offense continued to produce, adding single runs in the sixth and seventh innings before a three-run eighth inning put the game out of reach at 12-2.
 
Marquardt led the Chargers at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a home run and an RBI. Schmid added an RBI, while Jake Christianson, Connor Neubeck, Clayton Luett, and Greyson Kay each recorded hits.
 
Brett Sitzmann was charged with the loss on the mound, allowing six runs over 4.1 innings while striking out nine.
 
The Chargers fall to 13-18 (6-6 GPAC) and will head to Brookings, South Dakota to take on the South Dakota State University Jackrabbits. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m.