In each of their first two games in the 2002 NCAA Division III Championship Series , the Lakeland Muskies got solid — if not stellar — performances from their pitchers. Two complete games, two runs in each. Both games decided by one run.

This time though, it was the Muskies that came out on top.

Lakeland continued its improbable run through the series with a 3-2 losers’ bracket victory over Concordia University At Austin at Fox Cities Stadium Saturday night.

Bo Heinemeyer threw nine innings, allowing just one earned run on ten hits and, while not overpowering on the mound he controlled the game. The Tornados failed to advance a runner into scoring position after the second inning.

"We were fortunate to have Bo throw so well tonight," Lakeland coach John Weber said. "We really weren’t hitting the ball very well, and had some base running trouble, but he kept us in the thing."

Heinemeyer forced 17 Concordia fly-outs, a fact that was not lost on Tornados’ head coach Mike Gardner.

"He had us tonight," Gardner said. "I don’t think we had that many (fly ball) outs through our conference or regional tournaments.

After trading a pair of runs in the second inning, the Muskies took the lead in the sixth. Designated hitter Aaron Gustman doubled to lead off the frame and scored when shortstop Jim Kluck followed with a double of his own.

Lakeland looked to add to the tally, but consecutive strikeouts by right fielder Issac Hart and left-fielder Vance Henning ended the inning with two men stranded.

Catcher Matt Frelich got Lakeland on the board early with a solo home run in the second, while Kluck finished three-for-four with a pair of runs batted in. Chris Thousand and Gustman had two hits each as the Muskies improved to 34-15-1.

Concordia University At Austin was eliminated from its first trip to the Championship series, and finished at 35-13. Scott Bunting and Heath Owsley collected a pair of hits each, and were the only Tornados with multiple hits.

Chem Chavez threw 7.2 innings for Concordia, allowing 11 hits with three earned runs and six strikeouts.

The Muskies will face the losing team of game seven.

Written By Andrew Wagner
Photos By Lehigh Photo

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