Clermont, Fla. – Looking to close the spring break trip on the high note, the Concordia University Chicago Softball team took to the field two final times today, looking to extend their four game winning streak. Unfortunately for the Cougars, they were unable to continue the streak, dropping game one to Millikin 8-5 before falling to Monmouth 3-0.
"It was a good week for us as a program," said head coach
Sarah O'Malley-Fisher. "We learned a lot about our girls this week, and have identified some of our issues going forward that we need to work on. There were a ton of bright spots on the trip and now I can't wait to get out on the field again up north.
In game one, CUC pushed a single run across in the first on a
Marita Van Dyke groundout which scored
Stefanie D'Anna. Millikin answered though with three of their own in the bottom half.
The Cougars worked the score back to a tie in the top of the third.
Sydney Sterrett started the inning off with a walk. One out later with a runner on first,
Melissa Balkema doubled into the right center gap scoring one.
Shania Phillips and Van Dyke followed by drawing walks to load the bases. The tying run came in then on a
Allison Kruk sac fly.
Millikin answered again though in the bottom half, scoring five times on CUC miscues to swing the lead to 8-3 in favor of the Big Blue. CUC tried to climb back into the ballgame, loading the bases in the fifth which resulted in a run, and scoring one in the sixth to pull back within 8-5. The Cougars were unable to get a threat going in the seventh, ending their four game winning streak.
D'Anna led the Cougar offense going 3-4 on the day while scoring twice. Balkema and Kruk each drove in two in the game as well. Van Dyke took the loss in the circle, allowing eight hits and five earned.
Karlee Knight worked three innings of perfect relief, allowing just three hits and not surrendering a run.
In game two, CUC couldn't get anything going offensively. Monmouth scored one in the second and two in the fifth to open a 3-0 lead. The Cougars managed just five hits against the Scots starter Liz Hippen, with only D'Anna reaching third base in the game.
Julianne Nation took the hard luck loss inside the circle for CUC. The senior threw a complete game, scattering eight hits and allowing three earned runs.
The Cougars (6-4) will now prepare for games much closer to home. The next games for CUC come on Wednesday March 21 at North Park University. First pitch is set for 3:00pm.
