River Forest, Ill. - The Concordia University Chicago (CUC) Cougars softball team welcomed conference opponents, the Muskies of Lakeland University, to their home field. In game one, it was a slow advance for both teams, but the Muskies kept their offense strong and took game one 2-1. In game two, the Muskies kept momentum in their favor, taking game two, 13-1, and sweeping the Cougars.

Game One

Inside the Box Score

• McKyler Morris (Belvidere, Ill.) went a perfect two for two in game one, adding on one RBI.
• Emily Garcia (Eastvale, Calif.) went one for four in game one, scoring the only run for the Cougars.
• Haley Gulsby (Englewood, Fla.) went two for three, one of which was a double and Julia Pataluna (Commerce City, Colo.) went one for one after coming in to pinch hit in the seventh inning.

Here's What Happened

• To start off the game, the Muskies were able to get in their first run at the top of the first; a triple to right field from a Muskie allowed for the runner to come home.
• In the bottom of the first, the Muskies came close to their second run as a single from the batter allowed a runner to advance to scoring position. A double-play from the Cougars had gotten the final Muskie outs, bringing the Cougars back up to bat.
• Morris started out the bottom of the second inning with a double to right field. A bunt to the pitcher from Alyssa Campos (Eastvale, Calif.) helped Morris advance to third, but the Muskies closed out the inning, holding the Cougars back from scoring.
• The Cougars quickly got the Muskies out in the top of the third, then in the bottom half of the inning Gulsby was able to double to right field, putting herself in scoring position, but nothing came of that.
• Cougars started the fourth inning strong as they forced a Muskie ground out into a double play. After a single by the Muskies, a run was scored for Lakeland after a double down the left field line; finalizing the scoring for the inning, and increasing the Muskie lead, 2-0. 
• To open the bottom half of the fourth, Arissa Santos (Moreno Valley, Calif.) singled to left field. A sacrifice  bunt from Morris helped Santos advance to second. Unfortunately, these good plays came to nothing as the inning finished.
• It wasn't until the bottom of the sixth that Cougars finally gained some leverage. Garcia singled to center then progressed to second after the Muskies focused on getting Santos out at first. A double to left center field from Morris allowed the runners to advance, sealing the run for the Cougars as Garcia came home, getting a singular run.
• At the top of the seventh, the Cougars worked diligently to get out their opponents. Katie Davis (Colorado Springs, Colo.) would not let the Muskies get past third. Even with some new-found motivation, it wasn't enough as the Cougars fell in game one, 2-1. 

DOUBLE PLAY GETS THE COUGS OUT OF THE INNING pic.twitter.com/xeK2FCJpyi

— CUC Softball (@cucsoftball) March 21, 2026

Lead off base hit to put Arissa Santos on first💪 pic.twitter.com/QoMh4DHjQj

— CUC Softball (@cucsoftball) March 21, 2026

The Cougars worked hard to half the score of game one, but despite many hits, runners were left stranded and the Muskies took game one, 2-1.

Game Two

Inside the Box Score

• Garcia tried to get something going for the Cougars as she got the sole run in the first inning.
• Mayah Larenas (Chino, Calif.), Morris, and Santos were the only other Cougars that had a hit, where Larenas went one for one, and Morris and Santos both went one for two. 

Here's What Happened

• The Cougars started off strong in their defensive efforts as they quickly got out of the inning, going three up, three down. 
• Off of an error, Garcia was able to get to first base, further advancing to second. Larenas' sacrifice bunt, allowed for Garcia to get the Cougars' only run scored after advancing home from the Muskies not protecting home plate. Santos showed off in the bottom of the first with a single to deep center field with the ball hitting the outfield wall, and Morris hit a double to right field, getting Santos to third before the inning closed out.
• At the top of the second, the Muskies made quick work getting the bases loaded, where a walk landed Lakeland their first run of game two, tying up the teams at one apiece.
• With the bases still loaded, a Muskie grand slam brought in all runners, making the score 5-1. Trying to stop the Lakeland advantage in its tracks, Megan Bouska (Plainfield, Ill.) accomplished a much-needed strikeout.
• The Cougars could not respond in the bottom of the second and the Muskies were quickly back up to bat.  
• A Muskie was hit with a pitch to start out the third inning, and a double placed runners on first and third.. Lakeland landed their sixth run after a single, followed up quickly with two more runs off of a double to left field. The Muskies quickly found a 9-1 lead heading into the bottom of the third. 
• A lone hit for Larenas would be the only action for the Cougars in the bottom of the third. 
• The Muskies scored four runs on three hits in the fourth where the Cougars were unable to bite back in the fourth or fifth. The Muskies did not score in the fifth but still took a massive conference win over the Cougars, 13-1 and swept the double-header. 

Whatever it takes to get home, we'll do it! Cougs up 1-0. pic.twitter.com/4ia8XMvxde

— CUC Softball (@cucsoftball) March 21, 2026

Doubles on doubles today for Morris!! pic.twitter.com/vZusc341py

— CUC Softball (@cucsoftball) March 21, 2026

What's Next

The Cougars will be back in action tomorrow, March 22nd, as they make their way to Lisle, Ill. for a double-header against Benedictine University for their second conference match-up of the season. Coverage for all things Cougar softball can be found at cucougars.com/coverage.