(Grand Rapids, MI) – Concordia faced off against WHAC leader Aquinas on Saturday afternoon, playing a WHAC doubleheader at the neutral site of Cornerstone.  The Cardinals came in 23-20 (9-7 WHAC) while the Saints entered 24-8 overall (15-3 WHAC).  CUAA won a pitchers' duel in game 1 by a score of 1-0, but Aquinas fought back in game 2 to force a split.

Game 1 – CUAA 1, AQ 0

Lauren Reichel pitched a complete game in the first contest, making 3 strikeouts.  The game would be a low-scoring pitchers' duel with Concordia scoring the game's lone run in the 3^rd inning.  After Carly Pearson drew a walk, Lauren Reichel helped her own cause with an RBI double to put the Cardinals up 1-0.

Concordia turned a double play to close out the 6^th inning.  The Cardinals loaded the bases in the top of the 7^th inning, but the team was narrowly unable to convert a run.  Aquinas threatened with a lead-off double in the bottom of the 7^th, but Lauren Reichel was able to finish off the next three batters to clinch game 1.

Game 2 – AQ 4, CUAA 2

Cassidy Kane started game 2 on the mound.  Aquinas struck first with a run in the bottom of the 2^nd inning.

The Cardinals kept the game within 1 run by throwing out an Aquinas runner trying to steal home in the 4^th.  Concordia tied the game in the 5^th when Lauren Martin got on base with a single and was driven in on an RBI double by Abbie Begley.  CUAA went on to take a 2-1 lead in the 6^th when Megan Hinkle used an RBI double to score Lauren Reichel.

Aquinas went back on top with 3 runs in the bottom of the 6^th.  The Cardinals were unable to come back in the 7^th and fell 4-2 in the final game.

Concordia will return home tomorrow to host rival Siena Heights for a doubleheader.  First pitch is at 1pm.