TUCSON, Ariz. – The Concordia University Wisconsin baseball team dropped both of its contests on Friday at the Tucson Invitational Games, falling to RV La Verne and Bethany Lutheran.
 
Game 1 | RV La Verne 12, Concordia Wisconsin 5
La Verne jumped out to an early 4-0 lead by the end of the first inning, but the Falcons responded with a run in the bottom half of the frame.
 
Freshman Jack Anzelmo (Appleton, Wis.) led off the inning with a double and later advanced to third on a single from sophomore Grant Kasten (Mequon, Wis.). Freshman Dylan Hein (Dyer, Ind.) followed with a sacrifice fly to left field, bringing Anzelmo home for Concordia's first run of the game.
 
The Leopards extended their lead to 5-1 by the third inning, but CUW answered in the bottom half. With Junior Alex Ames (Plymouth, Wis.) on base, Anzelmo launched a two-run home run over the fence to cut into the deficit.
 
Junior Luke Heinkel (Brookfield, Wis.) added a home run in the fourth inning, but La Verne continued to build its lead, stretching the margin to 12-5 by the eighth. The Falcons capitalized on an error in the inning to score their fifth run, but the comeback fell short.
 
Matt Miller led the Falcons at the plate with three of the team's 10 hits. Anzelmo also had a strong performance, finishing 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs.
 
Freshman Ben Peterson (Minocqua, Wis.) started on the mound for the Falcons and pitched three innings. Freshman Russell Roodenburg (Scottsdale, Ariz.) followed with five innings of relief, and senior Tyler Bartczak (Crestwood, Ill.) recorded the final three outs. Petersen was credited with the loss.
 
Game 2 | Bethany Lutheran 12, Concordia Wisconsin 0
In just the sixth meeting between the two programs, Bethany Lutheran overpowered Concordia Wisconsin to secure a 12–0 victory.
 
Jack Anzelmo, junior Connor Lasch (Chicago, Ill.), and senior Tyler Murray (Kankakee, Ill.) recorded the Falcons' only hits against the Vikings.
 
Freshman Will Ruyle (Downers Grove, Ill.) made the start on the mound for Concordia Wisconsin and was credited with the loss. Freshman Adian Stumpf (Algonquin, Ill.), and sophomores Ben Jimenez (Waukesha, Wis.), and Caleb Couser (Abingdon, Md.) came in for relief for CUW.

 
CUW will close out its time in Arizona on Saturday with a doubleheader against Wheaton. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 10 a.m. MST.