De Pere, Wis. - The Concordia University Chicago (CUC) Cougars softball team traveled to De Pere, Wis. to battle against the Green Knights of St. Norbert College. In game one, the Cougars' defensive plays couldn't measure up as the Green Knights took game one, 10-3. In game two, the Cougars came with vengeance, winning 6-3.

Game One

Inside the Box Score

• McKyler Morris (Belvidere, Ill) went three for four at the plate, also grabbing a run.
• Haley Gulsby (Englewood, Fla.) went two for three at the plate, grabbing one run and tacking on one RBI for the Cougars.
• Esmeralda Luevano (Chicago, Ill) went one for one at the plate, collecting a run for the Cougars.

Here's What Happened

• The first inning opened up on an interesting note as Arissa Santos (Moreno Valley, Calif.) got walked and was able to advance to second off of a wild pitch. She didn't advance any further as Melisa Hadzic (Westchester, Ill.) triggered the final out, putting the Green Knights up to bat. A Green Knight was able to hit a single up the middle. A sacrificial bunt from the next batter would move the previous Green Knight to second; another single to right center field would lead to the first run for the Green Knights. A Green Knight was able to single to left field and runners were in scoring position. An error by the Cougars brought in two unearned runs for the Green Knights. There was another single up the middle, along with a Green Knight getting walked, loading up the bases. A hit to the pitcher would close the inning as the Green Knights led 3-0.
• The Green Knights worked swiftly to get their outs in with the Cougars in the second inning, eager to get their bats swinging. The Green Knights started out with a double to left field. A Green Knight then singled to right field, allowing a Green Knight to grab a run. Another Green Knight then doubled to left field, putting previous runners in scoring position. The Cougars had gotten two Green Knights out on a double play to end the inning - the Green Knights remained in the lead at 4-0.
• The Cougars opened up the third inning with two outs before Emily Garcia (Eastvale, Calif.) was able to single to right field, but an out from Eliza Auger (Littleton, Colo.) would put a stop to any further plays. Two Green Knights got walked to open the inning, the bases loading up as a Green Knight singled to left field. Off of a fielder's choice, a Green Knight was taken out at home before another run could be made. The Green Knights retaliated as one hit a double to deep left field, allowing for a run anyway. The Green Knights had a significant lead over the Cougars, 5-0.
• The Green Knights made quick work off the Cougars as they shut down the top of the fourth inning, getting their outs, even as Santos singled to left field. A Green Knight singled to second while another singled down the left field line, putting them at first and second. A Green Knight then got walked, filling up the bases. A final out would close the inning out, the score stagnant.
• Things started to move for the Cougars at the top of the fifth inning as Gulsby singled to right field and Linley Southern (Decatur, Ill.) singled to center field. Auger then came to bat, singling to left field while another Cougar advanced to third. A walk from Santos loaded up the bases for the first time for the Cougars. Hadzic had hit a single, advancing all of the runners and letting Gulsby score the Cougars' first run. As the Cougars moved onto the field, the Green Knights didn't make it easy for them as one singled to left field to start things off. A Green Knight then got walked; another Green Knight doubled to center field, allowing for two more runs. A Green Knight then singled, reaching first off of a dropped ball, letting another Green Knight put a run on the board. The Green Knights moved into the sixth inning, 8-1.
• The sixth inning began strong as Morris singled to right center field, followed by a single from Luevano. Gulsby then came in with a single, advancing both Luevano and Morris - Morris bringing in a run. Southern then hit a single to left center field, helping both Gulsby and Luevano advance to scoring position. A hit from Auger was an out, but this helped advance all runners, Luevano being the next to score. An out from Santos would shut the top of the sixth inning down, the Green Knights still leading 8-3.
• The bottom of the sixth began with a Green Knight getting walked; A Green Knight then singled to left field. After two outs, a Green Knight then hit to left center field, allowing for two additional runs, putting their lead up with their final runs, 10-3.
• The final inning went by fast as only Alyssa Campos (Eastvale, Calif.) singled to right center field and Morris singled up the middle. A double play from the Green Knights would close out the game, the Green Knights would take game one, 10-3.

The Cougars worked hard, but their defensive plays were not up to par with the Green Knights, whose strong plays would take game one, 10-3.

Game Two

Inside the Box Score

• Garcia went two for two at the plate, grabbing a run and an RBI for the Cougars.
• Hadzic went three for four at the plate in game two, collecting three RBIs.
• Gulsby went one for two at the plate in game two and added a run for the Cougars. 

Here's What Happened

• The first inning began with Garcia being walked; Morris then singled to left field, reaching first off of a fielder's choice while Garcia was out at second. Santos then got walked, followed by a double from Hadzic into center field, which would help Morris score the first run of game two. Mayah Larenas (Chino, Calif.) then singled, loading up the bases. Campos was walked, advancing all of the runners and Santos was able to score the second run. The Green Knights then came up to bat, where a Green Knight singled with a bunt, and another Green Knight singled to center field. A Green Knight then doubled to right center field, putting runners in scoring position. A Green Knight then hit a single, advancing all runners and grabbing a run. Another hit would advance the runners once more and allowed the Green Knights to get another run. The teams exited the inning tied, 2-2.
• The second inning showcased one hit by Gulsby, but neither team would score, quickly heading into the third.
• Hadzic singled up the middle to begin the third inning, but quick outs would take the bats from the Cougars. The Cougars also worked to get their outs, transitioning into the fourth inning, remaining tied at 2-2.
• Auger started strong in the fourth inning as she doubled down the left field line. Garcia then singled while Auger advanced to third, then slid home to score for the Cougars. Morris was able to single to left field, advancing Garcia, leaving runners on the corners, but they were left stranded after the Green Knights got the remaining outs. The Cougars moved quickly as they grabbed their outs, not letting the lone hit from a Green Knight get anywhere. The Cougars took the lead in the third, 3-2.
• The fifth inning moved just as fast as previous ones, Hadzic and Larenas being the first two batters to get out. Campos was able to hit a single to center field, but a final out from Southern brought the Green Knights to bat. This didn't stay like that for long as the Cougars got the Green Knights batter out, shifting into the sixth inning still in the lead. 
• The sixth inning opened up with a double from Garcia and Gulsby was walked. Morris then singled to right field, letting Garcia get to home plate for a run. Hadzic then hit a single, allowing for another two runs for the Cougars. The Green Knights didn't have much of a chance behind the bats as the Cougars got them out quickly, ending the inning with the Cougars in the lead, 6-2.
• The final inning moved smoothly as the Cougars came out from behind the bats as they got out quickly. As the Green Knights were behind the bats, they exhausted their efforts with a double into left field; another Green Knight hit a double, allowing the previous Green Knight to score their final run. An out at first would close the final inning, giving game two to the Cougars, 6-3.

What's Next

The team will be back in action on Monday, April 6th, as they welcome the Regents of Rockford University to their home field for a doubleheader to start the week. Coverage for all things Cougar softball can be found at cucougars.com/coverage.