April 1, 2015 – The Cougars traveled to Fond du Lac, WI to play NACC opponent Marian University on Wednesday. The first game of the afternoon saw CUC prevail 7-2 in a warm, but very windy game. The second game under the lights saw the wind die down a bit and Marian return the favor 7-1 to split the series.
 
Head Coach Sarah O'Malley-Fisher said, "The bats were really working today as the girls have gotten game experience under their belts and have had quality at bats in the process of letting our hitting philosophy work. Every game we have played since spring break has had different players step up as we have been putting in a complete team effort."
 
In game one, Meghan Johnson (Glendale Heights, IL/Glenbard West) pitched a complete game for the victory. She gave up only two runs on five hits with two strikeouts and one walk. The Cougars' defense was strong behind her, and the Sabres went three up, three down in four of the seven innings.
 
CUC batters were ready to go as Stefanie D'Ana (LaGrange Park, IL/Lyons Township) led off the game with a walk, stole second and third base to put immediate pressure on the Sabres. Jenni Jensen (Chicago, IL/Luther North) singled her in for the 1-0 lead.
 
In the bottom of the third, the Sabres got a spark as they were able to score two runs and take a lead that proved to be temporary. The key play was a ground rule double on a ball went under the outfield fence. In the top of the fourth, the Cougars loaded the bases but managed to shepherd just a single run across the plate as Michele Alexander (Tinley Park, IL/Andrew) scored on a D'Anna fielder's choice. CUC had two players forced out at home plate.
 
In the fifth inning, the Cougars again loaded the bases, this time to no avail. But in the sixth, the clear CUC 15 to 5 hitting advantage took hold as Concordia-Chicago scored five runs to break the game open and provide the final margin of victory. D'Anna and Allison Kruk (Elgin, IL/St Edward) singled to lead off the inning. Jensen reached on an error that allowed D'Anna to score. Alicia Salata (Bartlett HS/Bartlett) drove in Kruk. Allie Bochat (Crystal Lake, IL/Crystal Lake South) singled to center, driving in Jensen and Salata. The final scoring of the inning and game was Michele Alexander (Tinley Park, IL/Andrew) sacrificed in Bochat.
 
The first inning of game two was quiet for both teams, but the second provided some scoring. CUC had an interesting situation as Johnson reached on a fielder's choice and made her way to second. Adriana Cura (Romeoville, IL/Plainfield South) then struck out, but the catcher dropped the ball. The throw to first was wild allowing Cura to be safe and Johnson to score from second base. In the bottom of the second, the Sabres tied the game 1-1.
 
Marian got some momentum going in the third and managed to score three runs on three hits and a CUC error to take a 4-1 lead. They picked up two more runs in the bottom of the fourth. The Cougars loaded the bases in the top of the sixth but were unable to score. Marian then scored an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth. The final score was 7-1 in favor of the Sabres.
 
The Cougars return to their regularly scheduled non-conference match up tomorrow on Thursday, April 2 at North Central. The games are at 3 and 5 p.m. CUC returns to the NACC schedule on Saturday when they host Alverno College in River Forest.