Wednesday's doubleheader between CCU and Webber International came on an uncharacteristically chilly day in Florida. Though Colorado Christian Baseball struggled to get hot in the day's opener, the Cougars eventually warmed up to wrap the series with a 3-2, 3-1 split.
 
Playing behind pitcher Matt Lewis in game one, CCU labored through seven innings – struggling to match Lewis' strong play on the hill. The junior from Phoenix College gave up just two earned runs and fanned six WIU batters, but Christian's effort on the other side of the ball meant just one hit – a one-RBI Ryan Silva single in the fifth. The Cougars' only other score came in the second inning, when a Webber error resulted in an unearned Peter McWilliams run.
 
Fortunately, a stalled effort from the plate wouldn't be Christian's fate in the second contest. With Brandon Hesselberg and Austin Atkerson leading the charge, the Cougars warmed up – totaling eight hits and three RBI by the end of seven. Hesselberg and Atkerson each accounted for two hits and a run in the win.
 
Atkerson (1-0) also took care of most of the work on the mound, picking up his first win of the year after a three-K, two-walk showing in five innings of work. Pitching in relief were Jackson Gaskis and Danny Graves, who kept WIU off the board by allowing just one hit in the final two innings. For his effort, Graves was credited with the save.
 
"I was just glad to have the opportunity to feel good on the mound today while getting some great defensive plays," Atkerson commented after the game. "It was also awesome seeing freshmen like Titan Marler and Del Richardson step up with some clutch RBIs."
 
Redshirt freshman Jerry Gallegos accounted for CCU's only other RBI in the win.
 
 One day off separates Colorado Christian from their final series of the week – they'll take on Clearwater Christian Friday and Saturday to wrap their week in Florida.