(Grand Rapids, MI) – The Cardinals hosted their regular season finale on Sunday afternoon. Siena Heights visited Ann Arbor for an afternoon matinee double header. After splitting with WHAC leader Aquinas on Saturday, the Cardinals looked to keep the momentum going. The Cardinals used strong pitching and timely hitting to sweep the Saints.
Game 1 – CUAA 11, SHU 0 (5 innings)
After a scoreless first inning, the Cardinals used aggressive baserunning to take advantage of Saints errors. Emma Paryaski scored unearned run to score to give the Cardinals the early lead in the second inning. Megan Hinkle knocked in the Cardinals second run with an RBI single which scored Carly Pearson. Hinkle eventually scored on an RBI double from Abbie Begley to make it 3-0 after the second inning.
The Cardinals added a run in the third inning when Kate Elias recorded an RBI single to score Emma Paryaski.
The Cardinals put the game out of reach in the fourth inning scoring seven runs on eight hits. Emma Paryaski continued her productive game with a two run home run to score Shannon McAlinden. With two outs, Kendall Kahl recorded a 3-run home run score Megan Hinkle and Elias.
The Cardinals recorded a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the fifth to mercy the Saints.
Game 2 – CUAA 4, SHU 3
The Cardinals carried their aggressiveness over to game two scoring in the first inning. Lauren Reichel doubled to score Koryn Playford.
The Saints took a 3-1 lead on home runs in consecutive innings.
The Cardinals responded quickly with two runs in the fourth inning. Paryaski scored the first run on an RBI from Kahl. Hinkle knotted the game at 3 on an RBI double which scored Flesia Borck.
Lauren Reichel came up clutch in the seventh inning. With two outs and two on, Reichel singled to score the game winning run for the Cardinals.
Cassidy Kane earned the win for the Cardinals in relief. Kane relieved Maddie Cieczka in the fourth inning and did not allow a run. She scattered three Saints hits and struck out two.
The Cardinals improved their overall mark to 26-21 and 12-8 in the WHAC. The Cardinals will begin competition in the WHAC tournament on Wednesday at Pacesetter Park in Sylvania, Ohio. The WHAC will announce final pairings and tournament schedule on Monday night.
��WALK-OFF��
— Concordia Cardinals (@CUAACardinals) May 2, 2021
Lauren Reichel delivers a game winning single for @CUAA_Softball to complete the series sweep over Siena Heights in their regular season home finale! ��#GoCards pic.twitter.com/mNYiHHBiXN
