April 2, 2019 - A busy week of softball, complete with four doubleheaders, got underway today for the Concordia-Chicago Cougars with a home doubleheader versus Elmhurst College. The Cougar bats took a while to get started as they were blanked the game one by a 7-0 score. But CUC used a five-run third inning in the nightcap, along with a rock-solid pitching performance by
Karlee Knight, to salvage the split with a 5-1 victory.
In game one, the visiting Bluejays did most of their damage early. Mia Tran led off the game with a base hit and was on second base with one out when Alexis Ramos doubled down to the left field corner for the game's first run. Rebekah Ondracek then jumped on a
Kate Roberts' fastball and golfed it to center over the wall for a three-run first. Elmhurst added two more in the second when Tran singled home a run and later scored when she stole third base and came home as the throw was knocked away.
Elmhurst chased Roberts with two out in the third on an RBI double by Jackie Orel.
Marita Van Dyke took over in the pitchers' circle and held Elmhurst to just one run the rest of the way, a second run-scoring double by Ondracek in the seventh. However, Van Dyke's pitching was not enough, as Elmhurst's Emily Despain was strong throughout the game. Despain allowed just three hits over her seven innings - a double by
Kristen Landon, a single by
Kacey Powers and a double by
Kelly Tarasiewicz - but Despain made sure that nobody crossed home plate. Her control was immaculate as she struck out 11 without walking a batter.
In game two, it was CUC's turn for the starting pitcher to lead the way, and the Cougars played the role of Knight riders in pulling out the victory. The sophomore pitcher allowed an unearned run in the first, but the Bluejays' bats would be silent after that. Knight would pitch five innings plus one batter. scattering six hits while walking one and fanning one.
Holly Bathje relieved Knight and retired six of the seven batters she faced, an infield hit being the only blemish against her.
The CUC batters made sure Knight would get the win in this one with a big third inning. Knight started the rally herself by drawing a leadoff walk.
Abbey Sloan then laid down a perfect bunt toward third base and beat it out. Van Dyke was next up, and she was also bunting. Her bunt was fielded by the pitcher, but the throw to third base was in the dirt, and all runners were safe.
Shania Phillips followed with a grounder to shortstop, moving all runners up a base and tying the score.
Sydney Sterrett provided the big hit of the inning, a smash back up the middle to score Sloan and Van Dyke for a 3-1 lead.
Sydney Getz continued the uprising with a deep fly to the right field corner that went for a triple, scoring Sterrett. One out later, Landon capped the inning with a single to score Getz for a 5-1 lead.
The five-run third would be more than enough for the Cougars, but they added another run in the sixth. With one out, Getz walked and
Melissa Balkema beat out a nubber to third. The Elmhurst pitcher then got the second out, but
Sydney Paulauskis-Lauher lined a shot to left-center that went to the wall for double. Getz scored, and the Cougars had their 6-1 cushion and the eventual final margin of victory.
Concordia-Chicago's (9-5, 1-1 NACC) next challenge during this week will be Wednesday afternoon, when they travel to Fond du Lac, WI for a conference doubleheader versus Marian University.
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