March 6, 2017 - The early bird gets the worm is the old saying. For the Concordia University Chicago Cougar softball team, they would find themselves successful in the early game again today in Clermont, Florida. Runs would be at a premium all day long. CUC would do just enough in game one against Penn State Behrend to squeeze out a 2-1 victory despite having just three hits. Game two was also a 2-1 score, but this time, Nebraska Wesleyan was able to fend off CUC's late comeback attempt in the sixth.
CUC would break the run of scoreless innings in the bottom of the third.
Allison Kruk led off with a full count double to left field.
Stefanie D'Anna then laid down a perfect bunt for a base hit to put runners at the corners with no outs. Two straight outs had CUC fighting to still get the run across. Three straight full count walks would bring home the only two runs of the day for the Cougars. The Cougars would only be able to muster up three hits in the game, and strand eight runners on base.
Penn State Behrend threatened to make a comeback in the sixth and seventh, but starting pitcher
Marita Van Dyke would strand two runners with a big swing and miss on a rise ball to end the sixth. The Lions pulled within one with two straight doubles and only one out in the seventh, but groundouts to
Melissa Balkema and
Michele Alexander would secure the 2-1 win.
Game two would see runs continue to be at a premium for both teams, despite the wind blowing out. Nebraska Wesleyan scored two first inning runs on three hits but that would be it. Starting pitcher
Courtney Pepper settled in over the next five innings, allowing just one hit.
The Cougars had many chances to get runs across throughout. In the third
Kristen Landon singled up the middle to lead off the inning and would be 60 feet from scoring with one out, but would be stranded. CUC looked to rally in the sixth when they plated their only run. Balkema singles up the middle on a 3-1 pitch. A fielding error put runners on the corners with one out. CUC would manufacture the run with aggressiveness on the bases. Pinch runner
Megan Strong was off on the pitch. The catcher's throw to second was cut off by the second basemen to try and cut off Balkema, who beat the throw home for the Cougars' run. The Cougars put the tying run on base with two outs, but wouldn't be able to bring home the second run.
The Cougars (2-2) will continue their Florida trip tomorrow when they take on Ohio Northern University and Muhlenberg College. Opening pitch is set for 7 a.m. central time.
