(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia softball hosted Cornerstone on Wednesday afternoon in a WHAC conference doubleheader. The Cardinals came in with a 16-15 overall (4-2 WHAC) while the Golden Eagles entered 12-9 (5-6 WHAC). CUAA performed well in both games and came away with a sweep to pick up 2 more conference wins.
Game 1 – CUAA 5, CU 4
Maddie Cieczka started game 1 on the mound, making 4 strikeouts in 6 innings. Cornerstone scored first with a solo home run, but the Cardinals fought back with 3 runs in the bottom of the 1st. Emma Paryaski tied the game with an RBI single scoring Abbie Begley. Paryaski scored the go-ahead run off an error and Lauren Martin hit an RBI single to drive in Sarah Tyrrell. CUAA led 3-1 after the 1st.
Cornerstone got a run back in the 3rd, but Concordia countered in the bottom half of the inning on a 2-RBI single by Carly Pearson that scored Shannon McAlinden and Emma Paryaski. CUAA held a 5-2 lead after the 3rd.
Cornerstone scored in the 4th to pull within 2 runs, but Cieczka was able to hold the Golden Eagles scoreless in the 5th and 6th innings. Cassidy Kane came in to pitch in the 7th and limited Cornerstone to just one run, securing a 5-4 win for CUAA.
Game 2 – CUAA 2, CU 0
Lauren Reichel pitched a complete game shutout in game 2, racking up 5 strikeouts. The game remained scoreless until the Cardinals broke the shutout in the bottom of the 3rd. Koryn Playford was able to reach home while Emma Paryaski was caught in a rundown, putting Concordia up 1-0.
The Cardinals extended their lead in the 4th inning when Carly Pearson hit a solo home run to make it a 2-0 advantage. Neither team scored for the remainder of the contest as Lauren Reichel continued to hold Cornerstone in check. Reichel secured 2 strikeouts in the top of the 7th inning to finish out the game and clinch the sweep.
Concordia will remain at home on Friday, April 16 when they host UM-Dearborn for a WHAC doubleheader starting at 3:30pm. The Cardinals will recognize their senior class between games on Friday.
