Milwaukee, Wis.- Looking to build off of their conference opening sweep of Aurora, the Concordia University Chicago softball team took to the field today against the Milwaukee School of Engineering. Game one quickly turned into an old school pitcher's duel that the Cougars were able to take by a score of 1-0 on a Shania Phillips single to right in the eighth. Then in game two, CUC had everything clicking on offense, pounding out 14 hits in route to a 14-3 win.
 
Game one was a pitchers dual the whole eight innings. Marita Van Dyke took to the circle for CUC and was impressive as it gets. The junior allowed just five hits over eight innings, while striking out four. MSOE threatened in the fourth with a runner on third, but Elizabeth Foxley was able to make a spectacular diving grab in center field to keep the game scoreless.
 
The Cougars finally were able to break through in the eighth. With one out, Van Dyke doubled to left field. One out later, Phillips dropped a single into right field, which allowed pinch runner Nia DeGeorge to race around to score the only run. Van Dyke then worked a clean eighth for her ninth win of the season inside the circle.
 
In game two the offense was rolling. The Cougars started with three runs in the first. Melissa Balkema led off with a single up the middle. One out and a walk later with runners on second and third, it was Phillips who stepped up again with a single to right field scoring two. She then came into score when a popup was dropped by the right fielder in the next at bat, making it 3-0 CUC.
 
The Cougars added another run in the second on a Balkema blast to left field, her fourth of the season. MSOE was able to work their way back within 4-3 with two runs in the second and a single run in the third.
 
CUC kicked the offense into high gear in the fourth. Kristen Landon started off the inning with a double to center field. Singles by Katie Sullivan and Foxley followed to load the bases. A walk allowed CUC to plate one to make it 5-3. One out later still with the bases loaded, Van Dyke doubled to right center, scoring three Cougars. After a pitching change, Sydney Getz singled through the left side to put runners on the corners. Phillips delivered once again with a single to push the CUC lead to 9-3. Taylor Kulaszewicz continued the hit parade with an RBI single up the middle. After a walk, Sullivan and Foxley both doubled to right field to push the Cougar lead to 13-3.
 
The Cougars added one more for good measure in the fifth. Stefanie D'Anna led off with a double and came around to score on a Degeorge sac fly.
 
In total, CUC combined for 14 hits in game two, with four players recording multiple hits. All nine starters in the batting order recorded a hit in the game. Van Dyke and Phillips led with three runs driven in each.
 
The Cougars (13-6, 4-0 NACC) now will prepare for four home contests over the weekend. The first comes on Saturday when CUC welcomes the Lakeland Muskies to River Forest. First pitch is set for 12:00pm.