(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia softball held their home opener on Sunday afternoon when they hosted Rochester for a WHAC doubleheader.  The Cardinals came into the contest 13-12 overall (1-1 WHAC) while the Warriors entered the contest 2-8-1 (0-2 WHAC).  CUAA won a shootout in game one and continued their potent offense in game two, sweeping the weekend series.

Game 1 – CUAA 12, RU 10

Lauren Reichel started game one at pitcher.   Reichel made two strikeouts in the top of the 1^st and the Cardinals struck first in the bottom of the inning.  Abbie Begley reached first base on an error, Koryn Playford advanced the runner with a sacrifice bunt, and Shannon McAlinden used an RBI single to score the run.

Concordia extended their lead with a 3-run 3^rd inning.  Shannon McAlinden continued to drive in runs with a 2-RBI double scoring Koryn Playford and Abbie Begley.  An RBI groundout from Sarah Tyrrell drove in McAlinden for a 4-0 lead.

Rochester scored 4 runs in the top of the 4^th to tie the game, but the Cardinals countered with a 5-run 5^th inning.  Emma Paryaski and Shannon McAlinden both smashed solo home runs to start things out.  Lauren Reichel added an RBI single to store Carly Pearson, and a 2-RBI single from Abbie Begley drove in Jada Stephenson and Lauren Martin.

Rochester got a run back in the 6^th, but Emma Paryaski quickly answered with her second solo home run of the day in the bottom of the inning.  Sarah Tyrrell showed her power as well with a 2-RBI home run that also drove in Carly Pearson.

Kate Elias came in to pitch in the 7^th inning.  Rochester attempted a late rally with 6 runs, but Elias was able to finish off the game by inducing a popup to second baseman Carly Pearson.

Game 2 – CUAA 12, RU 1 (5 innings)

Maddie Cieczka pitched a complete game in the second contest.  Concordia opened the scoring in the 1^st when Emma Paryaski used an RBI groundout to drive in Koryn Playford.  The Cardinals extended their lead in the 2^nd when Abbie Begley hit a 2-RBI bases loaded single to score Lauren Reichel and Sarah Tyrrell.  Karley Kent was also able to score on an error by the shortstop after an Abbie Begley steal.

Concordia broke the game open with an 8-run 3^rd inning.  Carly Pearson started things off with a bases-loaded RBI single to score Emma Paryaski.  Lauren Reichel drew a bases-loaded walk and Natalie Shawl was hit by a pitch, advancing Shannon McAlinden and Sarah Tyrell.  Rochester errors allowed Carly Pearson and Lauren Reichel to score, and fielder's choice situations helped both Shawl and Karley Kent to reach home.  Sarah Tyrrell rounded out the scoring with a sacrifice fly to drive in Koryn Playford.

Rochester broke the shutout with a run in the top of the 4^th, but the Cardinals were able to hold on defense for the rest of the match.  Via the mercy rule, CUAA claimed the 12-1 win after 5 innings.

Concordia will play again on Saturday, April 3 when they host UM-Dearborn for a double-header starting at 1pm.