Early mistakes cost Comets in Montezuma

MONTEZUMA ? Cardinal gave away more runs than they could spare in a 9-6 loss to Montezuma in non-conference baseball action Saturday.

The Comets gave up six unearned runs in the first three innings to trail 9-2 early. Cardinal committed four errors in the game.

?We?re starting to hit the ball better but need to continue to improve on defense,? said Cardinal head coach Tom Hallgren. ?We gave Montezuma too many outs in the first half of the game.?

Trailing by seven runs, the Comets fought back with a four-inning fifth inning to pull within three. Cardinal continued its comeback effort in the top of the seventh inning and sent the tying run up to bat before the game ended on a line out.

The Comets recorded nine hits and drew seven walks against Montezuma starting pitcher Tyler Swenson, who was one out short of pitching a complete game.

Cardinal?s Tanner Chance led the from the plate and was a home run shy of hitting for the cycle, going 3 for 4 with two runs scored and one RBI. Conner McElderry was 2 for 2 with two RBI, and Austin Deshler had two hits with another two runners knocked in. Ty Short, Brandon Potts and Brandon Ecklofe each scored one run.

McElderry (0-1) took the loss for the Comets after throwing three innings and allowing nine runs ? three earned ? along with one strikeout and two walks. Dakota Showman pitched the final three innings of relief and allowed no runs with three strikeouts. Logan Thorne caught all seven innings.

Cardinal is scheduled to host New London Tuesday.

Cardinal @ Montezuma

CARDINAL ? 0 0 2 0 4 0 0 ? 6 9 4

MONTEZUMA ? 4 3 2 0 0 0 X ? 9 12 0

CARDINAL ? Chance 3-4, 2B, 3B, RBI, 2R; McElderry 2-2, 2RBI, R, R; Deshler 2-3, 2RBI; Short 1-5, R; Showman 1-4; Potts R; Ecklofe R

Pitching ? McElderry (L) 3 INN, 9H, 2BB, 9R, 3ER, 1K; Showman 3 INN, 3H, 3BB, 0R, 3K