LISLE, Ill. – The Concordia University Chicago (CUC) softball team closed out the weekend against Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference (NACC) opponent, Benedictine University. Despite rallying in both games, the Cougars dropped both to the Eagles.
 
Game One: 8-6, L
Inside the Box Score

• Arissa Santos (Moreno Valley, Calif.) smashed a three-run home run, one of the Cougars' four hits of the game.
• Jessica Geng (Phoenix, Ariz.), Mayah Larenas (Chino, Calif.), and Ashley Shroll (Tampa, Fla.) each tallied a hit in the game while Shroll also added a run.
• Alyssa Lopez (Corona, Calif.), Alyssa Campos (Eastvale, Calif.), and Morgan Houfek (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) dished in the circle for the Cougars.

 
How It Happened

• After back-to-back-doubles, the Eagles took a one run lead in the bottom of the first.
• Larenas singled at the top of the second but was caught stealing to close the top half of the inning. CUC was able to get out of the bottom half of the inning without any damage.
• Benedictine was able to extend their lead in the bottom of the third, scoring three runs to go up, 4-0.
• The Cougars struggled at the plate until the top of the sixth. Shroll hit a single to the outfield then Emily Garcia (Eastvale, Calif.) was able to reach first on a fielder's choice while Shroll was safe at second off an error by the Eagles. It was then Santos' turn up at the plate. She smashed one out of the park, scoring three and closing the Eagles' gap to 4-3. Geng kept the momentum going with a double, but the Eagles were able to stop CUC's rally short.
• In the bottom of the sixth, Benedictine was able to score two runs and prevent the Cougars from making a comeback in the seventh, to take the game 6-3.

 
Game Two: 4-3, L
Inside the Box Score

• McKyler Morris (Belvidere, Ill.) was perfect at the plate, going four-for-four with an RBI.
• Geng went two-for-three with one run and one RBI.
• Megan Bouska (Plainfield, Ill.), Eden Pufahl (Laguna Hills, Calif.) and Shroll all pitched in the circle for the Cougars.

 
How It Happened

• The Cougars struck first as Garcia led off the game with a double to the outfield. She then was able to advance to third with a sacrifice bunt by Kallie Tierney (Corona, Calif.). Then Geng hit an RBI single, bringing home Garcia for a 1-0 lead.
• The lead was short lives as the Eagles were able to plate one run in the bottom of the first.
• At the top of the second a single from Pufahl, followed by a double from Campos, and a walk by Linley Southern (Decatur, Ill.) loaded the bases for CUC, but unfortunately, they were all left stranded.
• The game remained tied until the fifth. Tierney led off with a single and Geng was hit by pitch, putting runners on first and second. Morris then stepped up to the plate and hit an RBI double to bring Tierney home and reclaim the lead, 2-1.
• In the bottom of the fifth, the Eagles were able to plate two runs and lead for the first time in game two, 3-2.
• After a scoreless sixth inning, the Cougars fought back in the seventh. Back-to-back singles from Geng and Morris put runners on the corners for the Cougars. Next up at the plate was Santos, who hit a long single out into center field, bringing in Geng to tie the game at 3-3. However, a double play would prevent the Cougars from taking the lead.
• Yet in the bottom of the seventh, Benedictine was able to bring in a run and walk off the game, as the Cougars fell 4-3.

 
What's Next
The Cougars are back in action Saturday, May 3 at home. CUC hosts Dominican University for a NACC double header with the first pitch at 11:00 a.m. Coverage can be found at cucougars.com/coverage.