Chicago, Ill. – After enjoying a 12 day break after the Florida trip, the Concordia University Chicago Softball team took to the field today at the Holmgren Athletics Complex for their first northern games of the season. The Cougars came out ready to go against North Park University, using a full team effort to sweep the Vikings by final scores of 10-0 and 6-2.

In game one, CUC got the offense going early despite the tough conditions. After a walk and a Melissa Balkema single, four straight walks followed with two outs to give CUC a 3-0 lead after one.
 
The Cougars added on by swinging the bats in the fourth. Kristen Landon and Elizabeth Foxley led off the inning with singles. Balkema and Shania Phillips then brought them home with back-to-back doubles to left and center respectively, making it 4-0 CUC after four.

CUC got back to it with the bats in the fifth. Katie Sullivan and Sydney Getz started the inning off with singles. Landon then doubled home a run and a wild pitch scored the seventh run of the game for the Cougars.
 
Just for good measure, CUC added three more in the seventh. With one out Getz, Landon and Foxley all reached base. A ground out plated the first run of the inning, and an infield single by Balkema plated a second. The final run came in on a Phillips single up the middle to give CUC a 10-0 lead.
 
Marita Van Dyke earned her fifth win of the season inside the circle for CUC. The junior threw her fourth complete game of the season in shutout fashion. She allowed just six hits while striking out nine. As a team, CUC combined for 14 hits in the contest. Balkema led the attack with four hits and two runs scored. Landon had a good game as well, reaching base four times while driving in two.
  
In game two, the Cougars scored first again. Stefanie D'Anna drew a leadoff walk and quickly stole second. Balkema then brought her in with a double that landed right on the left field line. North Park was able to answer though with a run in the bottom of the third.
 
The score remained the same until the top of the fifth when CUC plated four runs. After Foxley and D'Anna reached base to lead-off the inning, Balkema tripled to dead center to break the tie. A squeeze bunt by Phillips scored Balkema. Getz then brought home Phillips with a double to left making it 5-1 CUC.
 
The Cougars added an insurance run in the top of the sixth. With D'Anna on second and one away, Allison Kruk launched a double to right field to make it 6-1.
 
As a team CUC combined for eight hit in game two. D'Anna and Balkema combined for five hits and four runs scored in the top two spots in the batting order. Karlee Knight got the start inside the circle in game two, allowing just one run over three innings. Julianne Nation picked up the win in relief, throwing four innings while allowing just one run and striking out two.
 
The Cougars (8-4) will now ready for their home opener, which will now be Tuesday, March 27 against Carthage. First pitch is set for 3:00pm.