RIVER FOREST, Ill. – The Concordia University Chicago (CUC) softball team remains a force to be reckoned with as they swept Marian University for two more Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference (NACC) victories. The Cougars secured their seventh straight win, marking their longest win streak since the 2017 season.Concordia is now 15-9, 8-2 NACC.
 
Game One
Inside the Box Score

• Jessica Geng (Phoenix, Ariz.) scored the Cougars' lone run, going one-for-two at the plate.
• Mayah Larenas (Chino, Calif.), McKyler Morris (Belvidere, Ill.), and Arissa Santos (Moreno Valley, Calif.) each recorded a hit, with Morris picking up the RBI.
• Ashley Shroll (Tampa, Fla.) pitched all seven innings for CUC, securing the win with three strikeouts on 28 batters faced, only allowing three hits.

 
How It Happened

• The Cougars got on the board quickly in the bottom of the first inning.
• Geng walked to first before Larenas hit a single through the right side, which advanced Geng to third. With two outs, Morris, hit an RBI single to left field, bringing in Geng for the 1-0 lead.
• Strong pitching from both Shroll and the Sabres limited opportunities for both teams.
• In the top of the seventh, the Sabres would put the pressure on the Cougars. With bases loaded and one out, Shroll got the force out at home plate and on the following batter, Santos made the play to end the game, preserving the 1-0 victory.

 
Game Two
Inside the Box Score

• Shroll went a perfect three-for-three from the plate with two runs and an RBI.
• Katelyn Smith (Chatsworth, Ga.) also had three hits, one run, and an RBI.
• Alyssa Campos (Eastvale, Calif.), Santos, and Morris each also had multiple hits during the game.
• Megan Bouska (Plainfield, Ill.) got the win in the circle, pitching six innings with one strikeout.

 
How It Happened

• The Sabres would strike first, taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning.
• The Cougars would claim the lead in the third. After an error by Marian, CUC had runners on second and third. Smith would then step up to the plate, shooting one straight up the middle for the RBI single and to tie the game. Then, Larenas hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Emily Garcia (Eastvale, Calif.).
• The next inning, Concordia would double its lead. Linley Southern (Decatur, Ill.) reached on a fielder's choice and was able to advance to second with a single from Shroll. A wild pitch allowed both Shroll and Southern to advance to advance a base, and a throwing error by the Sabres' catcher allowed Southern to run safely home. Garcia then sent one to the outfield for an RBI single, bringing in Shroll for the 4-1 lead.
• In the bottom of the fifth, the Cougars continued to extend their lead. Morris hit a single up the middle to put the first runner of the inning on base for CUC. Santos followed with an RBI single, which initially advanced Morris to third, but an error in the outfield for Marian allowed Morris and Santos to take an extra base, with Morris scoring to go up 5-1.
• Campos then singled and advanced to second while Santos went to third. Jolene Anderson (Romeoville, Ill.) pinch hit and recorded an RBI as Santos scored and Campos went to third. Shroll then singled to the right center gap, bringing in Campos.
• The Sabres were able to score one run in the sixth with a homerun, but that would be their only offensive challenge.
• During the back half of the sixth, Smith led things off with a single and advanced to second on the next play. Smith would steal third and then score off an RBI single from Morris for the final run of the game, with the Cougars winning 8-2.

 
What's Next
The Cougars continue NACC play tomorrow, Sunday, April 13 on the road. CUC heads to Rockford University for a double header with the first pitch at 12:00 p.m. Coverage can be found at cucougars.com/coverage.