March 9, 2017 - The Concordia-Chicago Cougars enjoyed the day off on Wednesday, enjoying the beautiful weather in the sunshine state. Today they would take to the field in two afternoon contests under the Florida sun. CUC got fantastic pitching, but would only manage a split of the day. They took game one over Emmanuel 6-1 before dropping game two to The Catholic University under the lights 5-3.
 
Emmanuel struck for the only time in the bottom of the first off of CUC starter Marita Van Dyke. A leadoff walk worked around the bases with two outs. A lazy popup found the Bermuda triangle in the infield for a single scoring the runner from third.
 
CUC then answered with runs in the second and third innings. In the second Van Dyke led off with a single to center field and would worked her way to second with two outs. A misplay by the Saints' shortstop allowed Van Dyke to run all the way around to tie the game at one.
 
In the big third inning, back-to-back bunt singles by Megan Strong and Stefanie D'Anna got the momentum rolling. Allison Kruk singled through the left side scoring Strong easily for the go-ahead run. Melissa Balkema then laid down another bunt that was fielded and thrown away, allowing D'Anna to score and putting runners on the corners still with no outs. Michele Alexander kept the scoring coming with a deep fly ball to center field off the base off the wall for a two RBI double. With two outs and Alexander on third, Taylor Kulaszewicz provided the final run of the game with a single to left field, making it 6-1 CUC.
 
From there, both pitchers settled in for both teams not allowing another run over the next four. Van Dyke picked up her fourth win of the trip, pitching her third complete game. She gave up just the one run, while scattering six hits and striking out eight.
 
Game two would see the Cougar offense struggle again. Julianne Nation took to the circle where she pitched well again, but could not get any run support. Catholic University broke the pitcher's duel with single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth to make it 3-0. The Cougars then scratched a run across when Kruk tripled through the shift and scored on a wild pitch. The Cardinals pushed two big insurance runs across in the seventh that proved to be the difference.
 
The Cougar tried to rally in the seventh. Elizabeth Foxley got the inning started by getting hit with an 0-0 pitch. One out later Strong singled to put two aboard. Another out later, Kruk singled to right center scoring both Foxley and Strong, bringing the tying run to the plate. CUC got the tying run on first, but would not be able to bring her around to score, falling 5-3 in game two.
 
"We continue to grow as a team this week," remarked CUC head coach Sarah O'Malley-Fisher. "Marita continues to impress inside the circle for us this week. The bats will get there, we are not far off. Consistency will be key for us, tomorrow is another opportunity for us to grow before heading home."