River Forest, Ill. - The Concordia University Chicago (CUC) Cougars softball team had their third double-header of the week where they opened Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference (NACC) play against the Green Knights of St. Norbert College. Game One the Cougars struggled offensively and fell 3-1, but in game two after extra innings, the Cougars had a comeback and won 1-0, splitting on the day.

Game One

Inside the Box Score:

• Jessica Geng (Phoenix, Ariz.) got one of two hits on the game  where she went one for two with a double to center field.
• McKyler Morris (Belvidere, Ill.) was the only other hit of the day with a single to left field and went one for three on the day.

Here's What Happened

• At the bottom of the second, Arissa Santos (Moreno Valley, Calif.) was walked and then stole second to put herself into scoring position. A single by Morris to left field brought Santos home putting the Cougars on the board first with the score at 1-0.
• Morris found an opportunity and stole second and Linley Southern (Decatur, Ill.) was walked but the final out was a fly out to right field leaving both Morris and Southern stranded but the Cougars still led 1-0 heading into the top of the third.
• In a bases loaded situation at the top of the third, a single to third base brought in one run for the Green Knights, and a second single to left field brought in one more run, allowing the Green Knights to take the lead at 2-1.
• Geng placed herself in scoring position at the bottom of the third with a double to center field, but was left on base after the Green Knights quickly got the remaining outs to get out of the inning.
• Santos walked and then stole second to place herself in scoring position, followed by Alyssa Campos (Eastvale, Calif.) who also walked which put runners on first and second. Morris was out at first but allowed both Santos and Campos to advance to third and second, putting two runners in scoring position. Unfortunately, both were left on base and the Green Knights got themselves out of another potential lead change. The score remained 2-1 heading into the top of the fifth.
• At the top of the sixth, the Green Knights brought in one run, increasing their lead to 3-1.
• The Cougars had an easy three up three down at the top of the seventh, but the Green Knights handed it right back to the Cougars and took game one.

Game Two

Inside the Box Score

• Ashley Shroll (Tampa, Fla.) pitched eight innings with seven strikeouts.
• Geng had a sacrifice fly out to center field and allowed Emily Garcia to make it home.

Here's What Happened

• The game consisted of a battle between Shroll and the pitchers for the Green Knights. 
• The Green Knights would have their first hit of the game with a single up the left side at the top of the second, but the running would be left stranded as Shroll struck out the remaining batter.
• Morris would answer the Green Knights hit with a single at the bottom of the second but after being caught stealing, the Cougars would also remain scoreless.
• The Green Knights and Cougars exchanged hit for hit in the third and fourth innings to the outfield.
• In the top of the fifth and sixth, the Green Knights had a single hit in each inning, pulling them ahead in hits, but still remained scoreless. 
• At the bottom of the seventh the Cougar offensive came alive, where Mayah Larenas (Chino, Calif.) singled up the middle, Morris was walked, and Santos was walked, loading up the bases. Unfortunately, already at two outs, a fly out to center field would leave all three left one base.
• At the top of the eighth an easy three up, three down for the Cougars, highlighted by strikeouts by Shroll quickly put the Cougars back up to bat.
• Emily Garcia (Eastvale, Calif.) was the lead off for the Cougars who was hit by a pitch, putting her on first. The Green Knights allowed Katelyn Smith to reach first on an error and Garcia reached third on the throw placing her in a comfortable scoring position.
• A sacrifice fly out to center field by Geng would allow Garcia to run home, and a RBI for Geng would take the win for the Cougars 1-0.

What's Next

The Cougars will finish off their full week of games with another round of NACC play against Aurora University. Coverage for all things CUC softball can be found at cucougars.com/coverage.