The Concordia University Chicago softball team (1-3) continued their non-conference schedule with a pair of games in Jacksonville, Ill. on Sunday to wrap up their busy first weekend of the season. The Cougars earned a split, outlasting the Simpson College Storm (2-4) 15-12 in nine innings before falling 12-3 to Fontbonne University (1-1) in five. 

The explosive offensive performance vs. Simpson was capped off by senior outfielder Nia DeGeorge (Omaha, Neb.) hitting a bases-clearing triple in the top of the ninth inning to score sophomore Becky Pieroni (Montgomery, Ill.), freshman Annabella Archuletta (Pueblo, Colo.) and junior Claire Urchell (Crown Point, In.). DeGeorge also had four singles and a walk on her way to a perfect 5-5.

In addition to scoring those important runs, Pieroni and Archuletta had career days at the plate. Pieroni went 5-6 with three singles, a double, triple, three RBIs and four runs scored, while Archuletta was also 5-6 with three singles and two doubles.

Archuletta also got in on the offense against Fontbonne, giving the Cougars a 1-0 lead in the first inning with a single that scored freshman Carole Ross (Whittier, Calif.). Archuletta and Ross scored the Cougars' two other runs, courtesy of a triple by sophomore Hailey Howard (Machesney Park, Ill.). 

The Cougars will try to replicate the offense they mustered against Simpson in Thursday's games vs Lake Forest, which will take place at The Ballpark at Rosemont beginning at 8:45 a.m.