River Forest, Ill. – Playing for the first time in nine days, the Concordia University Chicago Softball team took to the field to finally open NACC play today against the Aurora University Spartans. Playing under brisk conditions, the Cougars came out ready to go from the opening pitch. CUC took game one 4-1 behind a stellar pitching performance by Marita Van Dyke. The Cougars then took game two 12-5 behind two Van Dyke homeruns. She also shut the door on Aurora, throwing the final two and two thirds innings, not allowing a run while picking up her eighth win of the year.

"It's a testament to the kids," remarked head coach Sarah O'Malley-Fisher. "They have worked hard with the time off. They came out believing themselves, and we played very well. I can't think of words to describe Marita's day at this time. She has worked really hard to get to this point. She let the defense play today."
 
In game one, the Cougars started their scoring in their opening at bats. Two of the first three batters drew walks to get things going. With one out and runners on second and third, Van Dyke started her strong day with a two RBI single. With Van Dyke on second, Sydney Getz made it 3-0 CUC with a single to left center.
 
The Cougars added an insurance in the third. A leadoff walk and singles by Getz and Kristen Landon loaded the bases with one out. Sydney Sterrett then drove the run home with a sac fly to center field, making it 4-0 CUC.

Four would be plenty for Van Dyke, allowing just one run in the sixth inning on two hits. In total, she allowed just five hits and the one run while striking out one and walking one.
 
In game two, CUC got the offense clicking with a season high 12 run output. Aurora got an initial run in the top of the first but the Cougars quickly answered. Melissa Balkema started the inning with a double to left center. With runners on second and third and one away, an errant throw after a groundout by Van Dyke allowed Balkema to score. Stefanie D'Anna then scored two pitches later on a Getz single up the middle. Landon then made it 4-0 CUC with her first career homerun over the center field wall.
 
Aurora worked their way back within 4-3 in the third. The Cougars had the answer though in the bottom half. D'Anna led off the inning by driving an 0-1 pitch to left for a double. One out later, Van Dyke launched her first homer of the day to left field on a 1-0 pitch, making it 6-3 CUC.
 
The Cougars continued to add on in the fourth. With one out a runner on, Elizabeth Foxley reached on an infield single. A Spartan error allowed CUC to load the bases. A single by Shania Phillips scored two, and forced an Aurora pitching change. Van Dyke then greeted her by taking the first pitch deep over the right field fence for her second homerun of the game and third of the season. The homer made it 11-3 CUC after four.
 
Aurora got two back in the fifth on two hits and an error. Aurora was threatening for more in the inning, but Van Dyke was able to come in relief of Karlee Knight to get the final two outs with the bases loaded. The Cougars then got one run back in the sixth on a Getz single scoring D'Anna.
 
Julianne Nation got the start inside the circle for CUC in game two. The senior went three innings, allowing just one earned run. Knight followed by throwing an inning and a third while striking out two. Van Dyke then picked up her eighth win of the season by closing the door on Aurora by throwing the final two and two thirds, not allowing a run and allowing just one hit.
 
The Cougars (11-6, 2-0 NACC) now will ready for a busy week of conference play. They will begin the week in Milwaukee to take on MSOE on Tuesday afternoon. First pitch is set for 2:30pm.