March 29, 2017- Looking to build on the four-game winning streak, the Concordia University Chicago Cougar Softball team finally would open the home portion of their schedule this afternoon. They welcomed the North Central Cardinals to a cold and windy day in River Forest, Illinois. What was scheduled to be a double header was cut to just one complete game because of rain. In the lone game of the day North Central jumped out early and held off an upstart spirited Cougar effort late for the 6-2 victory.
 
North Central was able to bring two runs across in the top of the first. After a single and a walk put two on, an error loaded the bases with one out. A single to left field by the Cardinals' five hitter Phelps plated one easy. The second run though scored on a bad luck break for CUC as the throw in from left field that was on target hit the runner in the back of the helmet ricocheting away allowing the run to score and the runners too advance to second and third. Cougar starting pitcher Marita Van Dyke then was able to induce two infield popups to end the inning, keeping the score 2-0.
 
The Cougars chipped away over the next two innings with single runs in each. In the first, CUC got things started when Stefanie D'Anna drew a leadoff four pitch walk. A passed ball and a sac bunt moved her around to third with one out, where Michele Alexander brought her home. The Cougars then tied the game in the second. Sydney Getz started things off ripping a 1-0 pitch through the left side. A sac bunt then moved her up 60 feet. With two outs D'Anna stepped back into the left-handed batters box and tattooed a 1-1 pitch over the center fielders head for a double scoring Getz.
 
Unfortunately for CUC, North Central was able to use their power to bring home the go-ahead run and insurance runs in the fifth and sixth innings. Two doubles helped to score two in the fifth, and a two-out homerun to left center made it 6-2 Cardinals. CUC wouldn't go down without a fight however, drawing two walks and getting a single by Alexander to load the bases, bringing the tying run to the plate, but a close play at first did not go the Cougars' way closing the books on the 6-2 loss in the home opener.
 
The Cougars (9-6) now will hit the road once again for ten straight games. They now prepare for Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play where CUC will travel to Benedictine on Saturday. First pitch is set for 12:00pm from Lisle, Illinois.