River Forest, Illinois- With the 2017 regular season coming to a close, the Concordia-Chicago Cougar softball team welcomed the rival Concordia-Wisconsin Falcons to River Forest for an important Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference matchup. Played under windy wet conditions, the Falcons were able to pull away late for a 10-1 game one win. The Cougars then answered in game two for the 4-3 win behind a big complete game effort by Marita Van Dyke. She also contributed a team high three hits in the game.
 
"Our girls battled all day," remarked head coach Sarah O'Malley-Fisher. "Give Mequon credit in game one for what they did. I am even more proud of our girls for coming back in game two, not holding their heads and grinding out a win."
 
In game one, the Falcons got a single run in the first to take the lead. From there starting pitchers Emily Brekke and Courtney Pepper battled tough. CUW made it 2-0 in the fourth off a double. They then finally broke through and blew the game open with five runs in the sixth and three in the seventh. CUC picked up their lone run of the contest on a sac fly by Allison Kruk that scored Megan Strong, leading to the 10-1 final score.
 
In game two, CUC looked to get the bats going after scuffling in game one. They did so by picking up a run in the bottom of the first. Melissa Balkema led off with a double to left center. She was then brought in when the throw on a bunt that was laid down by Stefanie D'Anna rolled into right field. CUW then made it 1-1 by manufacturing around a leadoff hit by pitch.
 
CUC quickly reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the second. Back-to-back singles by Sydney Getz and Katie Sullivan starting off the inning with runners on. A bunt moved the runners into scoring position with one out. After a strikeout with the bases loaded D'Anna singled on the first pitch of her at bat up the middle, scoring Getz making it 2-1 CUC.
 
The Falcons fought back again with two runs in the top of the fifth. A single and an error put runners on second and third with one out. A double by Molly O'Connell brought both runners home and gave the visitors the 3-2 edge.
 
As has been the story for much of the season, the Cougars showed their tenacity and fight coming back in the fifth. Van Dyke started the inning by lining a 1-2 pitch through the right side. An error allowed the next Cougar batter to reach putting two on with no out. A second straight error by the Falcons allowed pinch runner Elizabeth Foxley to hustle around to score and tie the game at three. The Cougars then kept after it and plated the go-ahead run in the sixth. Balkema started the inning with a double down the left field line on a 1-2 pitch. One out later she raced around to score as Kruk singled back up the middle on a full count pitch to make it 4-3 Cougars.
 
Van Dyke was impressive inside the circle for CUC. She battled tough windy and rainy conditions all game long. She picked up her 12^th win of the season while scattering five hits and striking out six.
 
The Cougars (24-16 13-9 NACC) now await to see if their season will continue. They will wait and watch NACC action between Edgewood and Marian tomorrow. CUC needs Edgewood to beat Marian once in the double header to clinch a playoff spot for the third straight season.