(Livonia, MI) – Concordia softball traveled to rival Madonna on Wednesday afternoon to continue WHAC conference play.  The Cardinals entered the game 15-12 overall (3-1 WHAC) while the Crusaders came into the match 12-4 overall (1-1 WHAC).  CUAA came back in the 6^th inning in game 1 to claim a 7-6 win, but Madonna won the nightcap 9-7 in a game that was called off early due to darkness.

Game 1 – CUAA 7, MU 6

Maddie Cieczka started on the mound for Concordia in game 1, making 3 strikeouts.  The Cardinals took an early lead with a 2-run 1^st inning.  Koryn Playford singled, stole second, and was driven in on a double from Emma Parayski.  Sarah Tyrrell was then able to add a deep RBI single that scored Parayski for a 2-0 lead.

Madonna responded with 3 runs in the bottom of the 1^st to take a 3-2 lead.  Emma Parayski countered in the 3^rd by crushing a solo home run over the center field fence to tie the game 3-3.

The Crusaders used a 3-run 5^th inning to take a 6-3 lead.  Cassidy Kane came in to pitch with 2 outs remaining and was able to induce a groundout to end the inning.

Concordia stormed back into the lead with a 4-run 6^th inning.  Megan Hinkle started things off with a bases-loaded RBI groundout, scoring Sarah Tyrrell.  Abbie Begley then hit a ball straight at the Madonna pitcher which dropped in the dirt, allowing Carly Pearson to reach home.  Koryn Playford hit a strong shot that was ruled an error by the Crusaders' third baseman, making a chance for both Abbie Begley and Lauren Reichel to score.  CUAA led 7-6 after the 6^th.

Concordia's defense was able to hold strong for the rest of the game.  Cassidy Kane stranded 2 Madonna base runners in the 6^th and one in the 7^th to secure the victory.

Game 2 – MU 9, CUAA 7 (6 innings)

Lauren Reichel pitched in the second game, recording 3 strikeouts.  Abbie Begley opened scoring by crushing a solo home run for an early 1-0 lead.  However, Madonna answered with 7 runs in the bottom of the 1^st to take the lead.

Concordia got a run back in the 2^nd inning when Lauren Reichel helped her own cause with a solo home run.  The Cardinals earned another run in the 3^rd when Shannon McAlinden hit an RBI single that scored Abbie Begley.  Madonna tacked on 2 runs in the bottom of the 3^rd to extend their lead to 9-3.

Concordia continued to be a threat on offense, leaving 2 runners on base in the 4^th and 5^th innings, but the team was unable to plate a run until a big moment in the 6^th inning.  Shannon McAlinden crushed a grand slam over the left field fence, driving in Emma Parayski, Abbie Begley, and Natalie Shawl.

While CUAA cut the deficit to 9-7 after the top of the 6^th, the game was then called off early due to darkness giving Madonna the 9-7 win.

Concordia will play their next doubleheader at Cleary on Saturday, April 10.  First pitch is set for 6pm.