Concordia softball traveled to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College to compete in a weekend series.  The Cardinals came in 4-7 overall, looking to pick up some more wins on the season.  CUAA brought home 2 more victories after splitting the series on both days.

Game 1 – SMWC 4, CUAA 3 (8 innings)

Lauren Reichel pitched a complete game in game 1, making 6 strikeouts in 7.1 innings.  CUAA went up 1-0 in the 1^st inning after Abbie Begley scored on a passed ball.  SMWC tied the game in the bottom of the 3^rd.

Megan Hinkle put the Cardinals back ahead in the 4^th with an RBI groundout to score Shannon McAlinden.  Koryn Playford tacked on an RBI single in the 5^th to drive in Carly Pearson.  However, SMWC scored a run in the 5^th and 6^th to tie the match 3-3.  The game headed to extra innings, but a run in the bottom of the 8^th gave SMWC the win.

Game 2 – CUAA 10, SMWC 7

Cassidy Kane started in game 2, pitching 6.1 innings.  CUAA jumped ahead with a 5-run 1^st inning, starting with a 2-RBI single from Shannon McAlinden.  Lauren Reichel, Karina Gregory, and Lauren Martin all had RBI hits to make it a 5-0 lead.

SWMC broke the shutout in the 3^rd with a run, but Concordia countered in the 4^th when Carly Pearson scored on a fielder's choice situation and Abbie Begley scored during a rundown on Emma Paryaski.  Natalie Shawl tacked on an RBI single in the 5^th to score Shannon McAlinden.

SMWC responded with 2 runs but Lauren Martin hit an RBI double in the 7^th and Abbie Begley hit a bases-loaded RBI single.  The Cardinals survived a 4-run 7^th inning by SMWC to win 10-7.

Game 3 – SMWC 1, CUAA 0

Maddie Cieczka started on the mound in game 3, pitching a complete game and notching 4 strikeouts in 6.1 innings of work.  The game would be a pitcher's duel with both teams holding each other scoreless until the 7^th inning.  SMWC was able to plate a run in the bottom of the 7^th to claim the hard-fought 1-0 win.

Game 4 – CUAA 5, SMWC 2

Kate Elias pitched a complete game in game 4, putting in a full 7 innings.  SMWC went ahead 1-0 after the 2^nd inning, but an RBI single from Lauren Reichel tied the game 1-1 in the 3^rd.

After two more scoreless innings, the Cardinals broke the game open in the 6^th when Shannon McAlinden hit a 2-RBI single and Koryn Playford had an RBI double.  Lauren Martin added an insurance run in the 7^th on a passed ball and CUAA won the final game 5-2.

Concordia will play a doubleheader at Grace on Tuesday, March 9 starting at 1pm.