(Rosemont, IL) Concordia softball kicked off their season at the NAIA Leadoff Classic Tournament in Illinois, and came out of the first day with two wins. Both games against Roosevelt and Judson were closely contested as the Cardinals found a way to prevail and win by one run in each contest.
Game 1 | Thursday January 30th | 2:30 PM
Concordia 6 - Roosevelt 5
Both teams got off to a quick start in the first inning as Megan Laib laid down a sacrifice bunt to bring home Tyfanni Bryan for the first score of the season. In the bottom of the first, the Lakers got to Cardinal Lauren Reichel, taking the lead with a two run single. Reichel would reign it in after that, only giving up one more run in the next four innings.
The Cards saw an explosion of run support in the fourth inning as Hannah Economou and Carley Drzewiecki drove home runs to start off the inning. Tyfanni Bryan then broke the tie as she hit a two run inside the park home run.
Roosevelt came back to tie things up in the sixth inning, but Lyndsey Ryba gave Concordia the go ahead run off of a wild pitch in the top of the seventh. Maddie Cieczka came in to shut things down for the Cards, and did just that, making quick work of the three Laker batters.
Game 2 | Thursday January 30th | 4:45 PM
Concordia 2 - Judson 1
The second game of the day turned out to be more of a pitcher's duel as both teams' pitchers threw complete games and minimized baserunners. Melanie Richardson hurled a stellar game, only allowing four baserunners through her seven innings.
The lone Eagle run can in the second inning when Judson was able to string together a couple hits and take advantage of a Cardinal error. The Cardinals quickly matched that run when Emma Paryaski doubled to left and pinch runner Payton Hernandez stole home.
After the second inning, Richardson was dominant from the pitcher's circle. The senior plowed through the Eagle lineup, only giving up one walk and no hits through the final five innings.
Concordia's game winning run came in the bottom of the fifth as Richardson helped her own cause with an RBI single which brought home Kassidy Grandorff.
The Cardinals will have another pair of games against Saint Mary and Olivet Nazarene on Friday.
