Milwaukee, Wis. – After dropping a tough 10-9 game to Benedictine yesterday, the Concordia University Chicago Cougar Softball team took to the field in an early elimination game against the Aurora Spartans. CUC was able to plate the games initial runs but Aurora was able to answer to take the lead in the second inning. The most successful team in program history saw their season end by a final score of 10-4.
 
"I couldn't be more proud of this group of young women, " said head coach Sarah O'Malley-Fisher. "They have battled all year long and deserved everything they got. We will miss this great group of seniors, they have meant so much to this program and have a lot to do with why we had as much success as we did this year."
 
Marita Van Dyke led the offense for CUC, going 3-4 on the day, with a double. More impressive for Van Dyke, she was retired just one time in the tournament going 13-14 in the four games. Stefanie D'Anna also had a double in the contest. As a team the Cougars finished with eight hits.
 
The Cougars got things started right away in the first inning. After a walk to Melissa Balkema, a double by D'Anna put runners on second and third with no one out. A throwing error on a back pick allowed Balkema to score the games initial run, and a line drive that went off the glove of the second basemen allowed the Cougars to make it 2-0.
 
Aurora answered back though in the bottom half, plating two runs on three hits. The Spartans then took the lead in the bottom of the second, plating three runs on a homer to left center.
 
The Cougars got back within 5-3 in the third. A single and a walk put Van Dyke in scoring position for Sydney Getz. Getz then looped in an RBI single down the right field line to score Van Dyke.
 
Unfortunately for the Cougars, the Spartans were able to plate two more runs in the bottom of the third, two in the fifth and one in the sixth to take a 10-3 lead. The Cougars plated one final run in the top of the seventh on a single by Van Dyke, as the Cougars saw their record breaking season end by a final score of 10-4.
 
The Cougars record setting season comes to a close at 26-15 overall and 15-7 in the NACC. The 26 wins makes this team the winningest team in program history. CUC will graduate four seniors, D'Anna, Kruk, Julianne Nation and Katie Sullivan.