River Forest, Ill. - The Concordia University Chicago (CUC) Cougars softball team was on their home field to welcome the Sabres of Marian University for a weekend doubleheader. In game one, the Cougars demonstrated great offensive and defensive plays, taking game one, 8-0. In game two, the Sabres came back with vengeance, upping their offensive play and taking game two, 5-2.
Game One
Inside the Box Score
- Arissa Santos (Moreno Valley, Calif.) went two for three at the plate in game one, collecting two RBIs for the Cougars.
- Eliza Auger (Littleton, Colo.) and Mayah Larenas (Chino, Calif.) both went one for one at the plate in game one, getting one and two runs, respectively.
- Emily Garcia (Eastvale, Calif.) went one for two, grabbing three RBIs and scoring one run to aid in the victory.
- Eden Pufahl (Laguna Hills, Calif.) picked up the win in the circle after two innings pitched and seven batters faced.
Here's What Happened
- Things started off with a Sabre reaching first off of an error by second. A Sabre then singled to center field, advancing the previous Sabre to second. Another reached first off of a fielder's choice to shortstop, helping to advance a runner to second, but getting the lead runner out at third. The Sabres runners would be stopped there with a final out from the Cougars, putting them behind the bats.
- Garcia was hit by a pitch, being the first runner to get on the bases. Linley Southern (Decatur, Ill.) would then come up to bat, where a sacrifice bunt advanced Garcia to second, then to third on the throw. Santos then singled up the middle, getting Garcia home for the first run of the game. Both Melisa Hadzic (Westchester, Ill.) and McKyler Morris (Belvidere, Ill.) would consecutively reach first off of a fielder's choice to shortstop, closing out the inning with the Cougars leading, 1-0.
- As the Sabres headed back to bat for the second inning, a lone leadoff single through the left side, would be the only offensive action before the Cougars collected a quick three outs. The game broke open in the bottom of the second as Alyssa Campos (Eastvale, Calif.) singled to second base where a sacrifice bunt from Larenas advanced her to second. Auger then singled to center field, followed by a single from Haley Gulsby (Englewood, Fla.) into left field, advancing Auger to second and Campos to third. Southern then singled to bring two runs in for the Cougars. Santos then hit a double to right field, advancing Southern to third and brought in Gulsby for another run.The Cougars sealed the inning putting them further in the lead, 4-0.
- The top of the third inning went by quickly as the Cougars got the batters out in order. The Cougars continued with their ascent as Campos got walked; Larenas then singled to right field, advancing Campos to third. Larenas went on to steal second, placing herself in scoring position. Auger then got walked, loading the bases. Gulsby reached first off of a fielder's choice, advancing Auger to second and Larenas to third, unfortunately getting Campos out at home before a run could be added to the board. Garcia redeemed this with a double into left field, bringing in Gulsby, Larenas and Auger, ending the inning with a significant lead, 7-0.
- The top of the fourth saw two consecutive singles by the Sabres, where runners on first and second were left stranded after the Cougars grabbed the remaining outs. Alaina Pilas (Chicago, Ill.) came in to pinch run for Santos as she reached first off of an error by center field and advanced to second. Pilas was able to advance to third while Hadzic got out at first; a sacrifice fly by Morris allowed Pilas to score. The Sabres grabbed the final out, but not before the Cougars tagged on another run, remaining in the lead, 8-0.
- The Sabres would get to a bases loaded situation after all batters were walked, but the Cougar defense remained strong, grabbing all three outs without any damage done. With the run rule in place, the Cougars took game one 8-0 after four and a half innings.
The Cougars showed off their strong plays and gave the Sabres no time to strike as they took game one, 8-0.
Game Two
Inside the Box Score
- Gulsby and Garcia each grabbed two hits, where Gulsby went two for three and tagged on a run, and Garcia went two for four, and added on two RBIs.
- Santos, Campos, and Jazmine Gonzales (Riverside, Calif.) each grabbed a hit, going one for two, or one for three respectively.
Here's What Happened
- The first inning began with easy outs from the Cougars, the adrenaline from game one making them eager to go up to bat. The Cougars started out with Garcia singling to right field. Auger then reached first on a throwing error after bunting, helping to advance Garcia to second. Both runners were left stranded as the Sabres grabbed their outs to head into the second inning.
- The lone base of the second inning was given to a Sabre after being hit by a pitch and the Cougars were quickly put back into the field after the Sabre defense came alive.
- The third inning was uneventful as both teams collected their outs, the score remaining empty going into the fourth inning.
- Scoring came alive in the fourth as two doubles by the Sabres would bring in a run before the Cougars were able to close out the top half of the inning. The Cougars began their half as Pilas came in to pinch run for Santos after she hit a double to right field; Pilas later advanced to third on the throw. Morris got walked, but both base runners were left on the corners as the remaining outs were obtained. The Sabres took the lead in the fourth, 1-0.
- The Sabres would build on their lead in the fifth inning as a double to left field followed by a sacrifice bunt would place a runner on third. After reaching first on an error, the Sabre runner on third made it home, and a triple to follow would bring in the second run of the inning for the Sabres before the Cougars went back up to bat. Both Gonzales and Gulsby would single placing runners on first in third, but a double play by the Sabres would quickly put the Cougars back in the field. After five innings of play, the Sabres led, 3-0.
- The Sabres tagged on two more runs in the top of sixth after a double and home run to follow. The teams switched places; Pilas would reach first off of an error by first. Esmeralda Luevano (Chicago, Ill.), who came in to pinch hit for Hadzic, reached first off of a fielder's choice to shortstop, Pilas getting out at second. A final out would leave Luevano on base, but the Sabre lead increased to 5-0 with one inning to go.
- The final inning showed little action in the top half, where the Sabres only had one hit before the Cougars were back behind the bats. Charlize Gonzalez (Dallas, Texas) came in to pinch run for Campos after she singled to open the bottom of the inning. Julia Pataluna (Commerce City, Colo.) then reached first off of a fielder's choice to third, getting Gonzalez out at second. Gulsby doubled to left center, and Garcia singled, helping both Gulsby and Pataluna score, putting the Cougars on the board for the first time in game two. Unfortunately this momentum was short-lived and the Sabres took game two, 5-2, forcing a split on the day.
What's Next
The team will be back in action on Wednesday, April 15th, welcoming the Foresters of Lake Forest College for a mid-week doubleheader. Coverage for all things Cougar softball can be found at cucougars.com/coverage.
