(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia softball hosted Cleary on Tuesday afternoon as they continued battling for WHAC conference positioning.  The Cardinals entered 22-19 overall (10-6 WHAC) while the Cougars came in 10-22 (5-9 WHAC).  CUAA claimed a solid 6-1 win in game 1, but the Cougars won game 2 to finish with a split.

Game 1 – CUAA 6, CLE 1

Concordia batted as the visiting team for both contests as the games were originally scheduled to be played at Cleary.  Lauren Reichel pitched a complete game in the first contest, notching 6 strikeouts.  Cleary took an early lead with a run in the bottom of the 2^nd.

The game continued to be a defensive battle until the Cardinals went ahead with 2 runs in the 5^th.   Lauren Martin and Abbie Begley got on base with singles and were driven in on a 2-RBI single from Emma Paryaski.

The Cardinals added insurance with 4 runs in the 7^th.  Kate Elias laid down a bunt that allowed Hannah Sickmiller to slide into home plate from third base.  Lauren Reichel hit an RBI single that scored Abbie Begley.  Kate Elias stole home on a double-steal with Reichel, who later stole home on a double-steal with Megan Hinkle.

Lauren Reichel was able to strand 2 baserunners in the bottom of the 7^th to finish out the win.

Game 2 – CLE 6, CUAA 3

Cassidy Kane began game 2 on the mound.  The game remained scoreless until the 3^rd inning when the Cardinals scored 3 runs.  Cassidy Kane was able to score off an error on a Kate Elias hit.  Emma Paryaski singled to score Abbie Begley and Lauren Reichel used a sacrifice bunt to drive in Elias.

Cleary began to mount a comeback with a run in the 3^rd, 2 runs in the 4^th, and 3 runs in the 5^th.  Kendall Kahl came in to pitch in the 6^th inning for the Cardinals.  While Kahl was able to hold the Cougars to no runs with a strikeout, CUAA was unable to mount a comeback and fell in game 2.

Concordia will play next on the road at Aquinas on Saturday, May 1 for a doubleheader.  First pitch is at 1pm.