(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia softball is set to begin the 2021 season on Thursday night at the Legacy Center in Brighton, Michigan, as the Cardinals will host Clarke University. Hailey Cavanagh enters her fourth season as the head coach of the Cardinals' softball program. She will be returning a core group of returners to mix in with a talented recruiting class. The Cardinals will get off to a quick start adding two more games on Friday afternoon at the Legacy Center as well.
2020 Review
The Cardinals started off the season with a trip to Rosemont, Illinois, for the NAIA Leadoff Tournament in which they brought home a 4-2 record with close wins over Roosevelt, Judson, Saint Francis, and a blow out win over College of Saint Mary. Concordia would continue their winning ways with a 3-win sweep over St. Mary's, Jackson, and Miami-Hamilton in the CUAA/Cleary Dome Tournament. The Cardinals began their annual spring break trip to Florida but were only able to play two games before athletics was shutdown due to COVID-19. CUAA finished with a 7-3 record on the season.
2021 Schedule Outlook
Concordia will compete in non-conference action between January 29th and March 26th in preparation for their conference season beginning on March 27th. The Cardinals opening weekend of WHAC competition will begin on the road in a double header against Lawrence Tech followed by their home opener with two games against Rochester. The Cardinals will then welcome University of Michigan Dearborn to Ann Arbor on March 3rd followed by a short road trip to Madonna for midweek action. Concordia will stay close to home with a road matchup in Howell against Cleary that weekend before Indiana Tech crosses the state-line in attempts to try to knock of the Cardinals at home on April 11th.
Cornerstone will continue the four game homestand for CUAA on April 14th before the Cardinals head to Ohio to face off against Lourdes. The Cardinals will look to capitalize on two more home series against Siena Heights and Spring Arbor before heading to Lima, Ohio, for their only series against UNOH on April 24th. Concordia will wrap up regular season conference competition on the west side of the mitten as they take on Aquinas to round out the month of April. The WHAC Tournament is set to take place between May 4th and May 6th.
Roster Breakdown
Concordia will return a core group of seniors that will be eager to hit the field after their last season was cut short. Coach Cavanagh will look for extensive leadership from these seniors as well as the other three upperclassmen returning to Ann Arbor. Emma Paryaski, Carly Pearson, and Megan Hinkle will add depth and consistency in the Cardinals' lineup.
The Junior class features Maddie Cieczka, who won her only game she started last season and maintained a spotless ERA by only allowing 5 hits in 7 innings of work on top of 5 strikeouts. She is complimented by Lauren Reichel who went 3-1 in 22 2/3 innings of work with 11 strikeouts of her own. Natalie Shawl was off to a productive start through 10 games in 2020 as well.
The sophomore class will be excited to compete in a more regular season in 2021. Koryn Playford, Lauren Martin, Karley Kent, Payton Hernandez, Kendall Kahl, and Abbie Begley will seek to make their impact on the roster and help elevate the program to the next level.
The Cardinals welcome eight new faces to the softball program. Flesia Borck, Heidi Walters, Jada Stephenson, Sarah Tyrell, Shannon McAlinden, and Karina Gregory will look to make an impact on the field and at the plate. Cassidy Kane and Kendall Kahl will add additional depth in the circle for the Cardinals.
WHAC Preseason Poll
The Cardinals were predicted to finish fifth in the WHAC Preseason poll. Votes were cast by head coaches throughout the respected league. The Cardinals totaled 88 points which place them right after Lawrence Tech (103) and just above Indiana Tech (80). Madonna took the top spot with 141 total points. Under Coach Cavanagh's leadership, the Cardinals have consistently earned the respect of league members.
Cardinals Corner Season Preview
Every Wednesday night at 6pm the Cardinals Corner radio show airs on WTKA The Ticket 1050am or on wtka.com. Ira Weintraub from WTKA The Ticket hosts the one-hour show that features three interview segments. Student-athletes, teams, coaches, and staff are highlighted each week along with a segment by Director of Athletics Lonnie Pries. Head Softball Coach Hailey Cavanagh and Sr. Carly Pearson joined Cardinals Corner on Wednesday, January 28th to preview the 2021 season.
Coach Cavanagh's Interview
Sr. Carly Pearson's Interview
Connect with the Cardinals
For the most updated information and news throughout the season, follow the Concordia Softball team on their social media platforms. The Cardinals are on Facebook, Twitter (@CUAA_Softball), and Instagram (cuaa_cardinalsb).
