Milwaukee, Wis. - The Concordia University Chicago (CUC) Cougars softball team arrived in Milwaukee, Wis. for another weekend doubleheader against the Inferno of Alverno College. In game one, the Inferno eliminated the Cougars quickly with their offensive plays, taking game one, 5-1. In game two, the tables turned and the Cougars came back with a vengeance, easily taking game two, 14-5.
Game One
Inside the Box Score:
- Mayah Larenas (Chino, Calif.) went two for two at the plate in game one, picking up one RBI.
- McKyler Morris (Belvidere, Ill.) went two for three at the plate in game one, grabbing the Cougars' sole run.
- Eliza Auger (Littleton, Colo.) went one for two at the plate in game one.
Here's What Happened
- Game one began with a double to left field from Haley Gulsby (Englewood, Fla.), followed up by Alyssa Campos (Eastvale, Calif.) getting walked. Second would be as far as the Cougars would go in the first half of the inning as the Inferno made their way behind the bats. The Inferno had a strong play after their first two outs, hitting a home run and getting in the first run of the day. The Inferno would take on the lead as the inning closed, 1-0.
- The second inning was uneventful as things started off with a single from Larenas to shortstop. She then advanced to second on a passed ball. Afterward, Auger was hit by the pitcher and earned a spot at first. The Inferno had a similar outcome, getting close at third before the inning ended, keeping the score the same.
- The score remained stagnant in the third inning, even after a single up the middle from Campos and double plays from both teams.
- Plays became more interesting in the fourth as Arissa Santos (Moreno Valley, Calif.) was walked, and then Emily Lucero (Chino, Calif.), came in to pinch run. A single from Morris to the pitcher advanced Lucero to second. A Larenas sacrifice bunt would advance Morris to second and Lucero to third. Jazmine Gonzales (Riverside, Calif.) would then get walked, loading up the bases. Outs would close out an opportunity to score for the Cougars as the Inferno sent them to the field. Two Inferno singled down the left field line and were able to advance to second while another advanced to third. An Inferno then singled to right center field, helping two Inferno score, pushing their lead to 3-0.
- The Cougars would continue to trail as the fifth inning came around; Linley Southern (Decatur, Ill.) reached first off of a throwing error by the shortstop. Campos would also reach first on a fielder's choice to second, getting Southern out. Another fielder's choice and strikeout would turn the inning over. The Inferno would have two on base with two outs before someone doubled to right center field, helping score two more Inferno runs. As the inning came to a close, the Inferno dragged their lead up to 5-0.
- The Cougars tried gaining some runs as the sixth inning began, Morris doubling to right center field, followed by a single from Larenas to left field. Larenas would be called out at second, but Morris was able to score the Cougars' only run. Auger would then double to left field, but an out on Gulsby's end would put the Cougars in the field. The Inferno did not gain any additional runs this inning, advancing to second before moving on to the next inning, still leading, 5-1.
- The final inning in game one was lackluster as Hadzic was the only Cougar to manage a hit, a double to left field, before the Inferno would take game one, 5-1.
Highlights
Game Two
Inside the Box Score
- Hadzic went three for five at the plate in game two, collecting a stunning three runs and career-high seven RBIs for the Cougars. Two of her hits were a grand slam and a three-run homer.
- Auger went two for three at the plate in game two, grabbing three runs and an RBI, both of which were doubles.
- Morris and Larenas both went two for four at the plate in game two, Morris tacking on two runs and two RBIs, including her first home run of the season, while Larenas came in with one run.
- Campos got the win in the circle, recording two strikeouts in 4.1 innings pitched.
Here's What Happened
- The second game began with Gulsby getting walked and Auger reaching first off an error by the second baseman while Gulsby advanced to second. Hadzic then broke things open early on with a home run into left field, helping her, Auger and Gulsby score. This was followed up with Morris getting walked. Santos was then hit by a pitch when it was her turn to bat, giving her a free base as Morris advanced to second. Larenas then singled to center field while Santos and Morris advanced to scoring position, loading the bases. Southern got walked, which advanced all runners and got Morris home for another Cougar run. Gulsby was also hit by a pitch, to the Inferno's dismay, further advancing the runners on base and letting Santos come in for another run. Auger got walked, letting Larenas score as well. A final out would end the scoring streak for the Cougars. The Inferno wouldn't last long at bat as the Cougars collected their outs, ending the inning in the lead, 6-0.
- Another home run followed the Cougars into the second inning as Morris hit one to left center field, getting in a sole run. Charlize Gonzalez (Dallas, Texas), who came in to pinch run for Santos, who singled down the left field line; Larenas reached first off of a fielder's choice while Gonzalez advanced to second off of a fielding error by second. A double play from the Inferno would end things there for the Cougars. The Inferno would only get to second before the close of the inning, the Cougars leading, 7-0.
- The Cougars would continue to stack on runs in the third inning. In a two-out rally, Auger doubled to left center field, followed by a double to left center field from Campos, which would lead Auger to score. Hadzic would come in and hit a single to left field, advancing Campos to third. Morris then singled down the left field line, advancing Hadzic to second and getting Campos home to score another run. Morris would proceed to advance to second on a wild pitch, in turn, advancing Hadzic to third. An error would lead to Morris advancing to third and Hadzic advancing home, topping off the Cougar runs for the inning. Gonzales would get walked, advancing to second off of a wild pitch before the Inferno came to bat. The Cougars worked quickly to get the Inferno outs, wanting to return to swinging their bats, ending the inning with a 10-0 lead.
- The fourth inning was a short one as Southern singled to right center field, followed by Gonzales reaching first off of a fielding error by first base, which advanced Southern to second. A quick three outs would get the Inferno to bat again. The Inferno came to counter, starting out with a double to left center field, but only getting as far as third before the Cougars grabbed their outs, ending the inning.
- The fifth inning started out with two outs before Gonzalez singled to left center field. Julia Pataluna (Commerce City, Colo.), who came in to pinch hit for Larenas, reached first on a dropped fly by right field while Gonzalez advanced to third. However, a quick out ended the Cougars' chances to tack on more runs. The Inferno attempted to make a comeback by getting in three consecutive runs. Inferno would continue to advance to scoring position and put another two runs on the board. The Cougars would keep their lead going into the sixth inning, 10-5.
- After a ground out, the final inning kickstarted with a single from Gulsby down the left field line. Auger then doubled to left center field while Gulsby advanced to third. Campos was then walked, to load the bases. Hadzic then stepped up to the plate and smashed the out over the left center field fence for a grand slam, extending the lead to 14-5. After that fantastic play, Morris reached first off of a muffed throw by first. Larenas then doubled to left center field while Morris advanced to third. A final out would end the Cougars' time at bat. The Inferno could not come back from the Cougars' major lead, succumbing to the runs. The Cougars would grab their outs, taking game two, 14-5.
What's Next
The team will be back in action on Saturday, April 25th, to welcome the Warriors of Wisconsin Lutheran College to their home field for an afternoon doubleheader. First pitch is at 12:00 pm. Coverage for all things Cougar softball can be found at
cucougars.com/coverage.
