Melbourne, Fla. - For day three of the Florida Space Coast Games, the Concordia University Chicago (CUC) Cougars softball team was geared up and ready to take on the Spartans of University of Dubuque for game one, and the Engineers of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. After going into extra innings, the Spartans overtook the Cougars, 4-3. After a dominating game, the Cougars took an early lead that stuck and won 9-4 over the Engineers in game two.

Game One

Inside the Box Score

• Linley Southern (Decatur, Ill.), Arissa Santos (Moreno Valley, Calif.), Eliza Auger (Littleton, Colo.), Mayah Larenas (Chino, Calif.), Melisa Hadzic (Westchester, Ill.), Julia Pataluna (Commerce City, Colo.), and Haley Gulsby (Englewood, Fla.) all recorded one hit, showing all-around team effort.
• Larenas and Auger each recorded RBIs, where Larenas had one and Auger had two which came in the bottom of the seventh inning to force extra innings.
• Morgan Houfek (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) pitched all eight innings, recording four strikeouts on 38 batters faced.

Here's What Happened

• Houfek opened the top of the inning only allowing one hit and ended the top half by striking out a Spartan batter.
• After a bases loaded situation for the Spartans at the top of the second, Houfek forced a swinging strikeout to get the Cougars out of the inning without any runs scored against them.
• Santos got the first hit of the day for the Cougars with a stand up double to left field, then advanced to third after Alyssa Campos (Eastvale, Calif.) fouled out. Larenas reached first on a fielder's choice where the Spartans attempted to get Santos out at home, but an error by the pitcher allowed Santos to score and Larenas to advance to second. Pataluna walked, putting runners on first and second but the Cougar offense was put to a stop. The Cougars were the first on the board and had an early 1-0 lead heading into the third inning. 
• Southern had a single to left field where she advanced to second after a sacrifice bunt by McKyler Morris (Belvidere, Ill.); however, the Spartans snagged the final out, leaving Southern stranded on base. The Cougars remained in the lead.
• Hadzic and Houfek took control of the Cougar defense in the top of the third where Hadzic caught a ball in foul territory and Houfek struck out back-to-back batters shutting down the Spartans.
• Hadzic and Pataluna both singled to get something going for the Cougars, but any scoring was put to a halt after the Spartans caught the final out of the inning. The was still 1-0 favoring the Cougars heading into the fifth inning.
• The Spartan offense were quick to get a single where the runner advanced into scoring position, after another single, the Spartans were able to make it home to score their first run. This would be the only run scored, tying the game at 1-1.
• Neither offense got anything going until the seventh inning, where the Spartans put up two runs to take a 3-1 lead.
• Pataluna kicked off the bottom half of the inning reaching on a Spartans error. Gulsby singled and both runners were able to advance to second and third from a passed ball. Emily Garcia (Eastvale, Calif.) lined out but then Southern was walked to load the bases. A hard fought at-bat for Morris ended in a foul out to the catcher, but Auger had a well placed single through the left side that brought in both Pataluna and Gulsby to tie the game at three. The teams would now head into extra innings after the Spartans recorded the final out, catching Southern at third.
• In extra innings the Spartans were able to score one run that the Cougars were unable to answer, so the Spartans took the game after eight innings, 4-3.

The Cougars had a brief break before game two of the day.

Game Two

Inside the Box Score

• Emily Garcia (Eastvale, Calif.) and Gulsby each were perfect behind the plate going four for four and three for three respectively. Garcia also added three RBIs.
• Jazmine Gonzales (Riverside, Calif.), Campos, and Larenas each added two hits to aid in the victory.
• Alyssa Lopez (Corona, Calif.) picked up the win in the circle after pitching three innings and 13 batters faced and Eden Pufahl (Laguna Hills, Calif.) picked up her first save of the season after 2.2 innings pitched, with one strikeout on 11 batters faced.

Here's What Happened

• Two back-to-back singles by Garcia and Gonzales put runners on first and second to open the top of the first. Southern being grounded out allowed both to advance to second and third. A deep triple to right field by Morris brought both runners home. This would conclude the scoring in the top of the first putting the Cougars ahead, 2-0.
• The Engineers also put up two hits in the opening inning, but no scoring would come from them and the Cougars would maintain their 2-0 lead.
• Auger opened the top of the second with a single and a Gulsby double down the left side would put two runners in scoring position on first and third. Garcia's beautiful bunt allowed her to get to first advanced both base runners, bringing Auger home. A double to left center by Gonzales then brought Gulsby home. Southern's sacrifice fly brought home Garcia, leaving just Gonzales on base. Three total runs scored in the top of the second would increase the Cougar lead to 5-0, heading into the bottom half of the inning.
• Two hits for the Engineers allowed for one runner to score, but the Cougars kept their lead, 5-1, heading into the third inning.
• Neither team scored in the third or fourth inning. Both teams went three up, three down in the third, but In the fourth there was scoring potential for the Cougars after Gulsby and Garcia both singled to left field, unfortunately they were both left stranded. The Engineers had a single in the fourth but no scoring occurred, leaving the Cougars ahead, 5-1.
• In the fifth, Campos and Larenas had singles but were unable to bring in any runs; however, the Engineers' came alive. Two doubles and a fielder's choice led to two runs scored to chip away at the Cougar lead. The Cougars got out of the inning, still leading 5-3.
• Gulsby opened the sixth with a single to right field then advanced to second on a wild pitch, placing her in scoring position. Garcia then doubled to center field bringing home Gulsby. Garcia was able to advance to third then home off of ground outs which would conclude the scoring for the Cougars in the inning. Heading to the bottom of the sixth, the Cougars led 7-3.
• The Cougars quickly went back up to bat after the bottom of the sixth was a quick three up, three down for the Engineers. 
• The final two runs for the Cougars were scored in the top of the seventh. A double for Larenas and single for Santos brought home Alaina Pilas (Chicago, Ill.) who pinch ran for Larenas. Auger, who pinch ran for Santos, was brought home after a sacrifice fly by Garcia. The Cougars led 9-3 heading into the bottom half of the inning.
• Three singles would be enough for the Engineers to bring in one more run but not enough to take the lead so the Cougars took the win, 9-4.

What's Next

The Cougars are headed to their final day of competition in Florida where they will have their first games under the lights. Their first game of the day will be against John Carroll at 3:45 PM (EST) followed by their second and final game in Florida against Houghton at 6:00 PM (EST). Coverage for all things CUC softball can be found at cucougars.com/coverage.