Plymouth, Wis. -- After a nearly two week layoff, the Concordia University Chicago Softball team opened NACC play today as they traveled north to take on the Lakeland University Muskies. CUC was able to get things going early in game one to take the opener 6-2. The Cougars then saw a lead disappear late as the Muskies were able to score two in the seventh and one in extras to take game two 4-3.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Kristen Landon led the day offensively with four hits.
• Reilly McGuire made the most of her first two starts of the year by collecting three hits and an RBI.
• As a team CUC had 21 hits.
• Marita Van Dyke picked up her third win of the season in the circle. She threw a complete game in game one and allowed just two runs on four hits while striking out four.
• Holly Bathje got the start inside the circle in game two. She worked six inning, allowing three runs on nine hits while striking out six.

 
GAME ONE:
CUC got things going in their initial at bats of the day. Shania Phillips opened the inning with a single up the middle. Two outs later with Phillips on second Getz dropped a single in front of the left fielder to give CUC a 1-0 lead.
 
The Cougars made it a 4-0 game in the second. With one out Landon singled up the middle. McGuire followed with a double to right center to put two in scoring position. An error by the Lakeland shortstop allowed two runs to score and put Kacey Powers on base. One out and a passed ball later Melissa Balkema doubled to bring home Powers for the third run of the inning.
 
CUC added on another run in the third. With two outs Sydney Sterrett reached on an infield single and promptly stole second. Sydney Paulauskis-Lauher then singled to left, scoring Sterrett which made it 5-0 CUC.
 
Lakeland manufactured a run in the bottom of the third on a double steal to pull within 5-1. They then got a second run back in the fourth on two hits.
 
The Cougars added on an insurance run in the top of the seventh. With two outs back-to-back doubles by Van Dyke and Getz made it 6-2 CUC. Van Dyke then worked around a leadoff single to put the finishing touches on a series opening win.
 
GAME TWO:
CUC opened the scoring in game two in the top of the second. An error, a single and a bunt single by Landon loaded the bases with one away. Bathje, McGuire and Phillips all followed with singles to make it 3-0 CUC.
 
Lakeland got a run back in the bottom of the fourth by taking advantage of a leadoff double. Bathje continued to work quickly in the circle for CUC through six innings of work.
 
The Muskies were able to rally in the seventh. A double and an infield single brought the tying run to the plate with just one out. After an intentional walk loaded the bases, CUC was able to get the second out with a force out at home. Unfortunately for CUC, Lakeland was able to get a two RBI single to right center to tie the game at three.
 
Lakeland completed the comeback in the bottom of the ninth. Two singles started the inning for Lakeland, and they were able to manufacture the winning run from there with just one out to down CUC 4-3.