(Kissimmee, FL) - The Concordia University Softball team headed down to Florida as they begin a long week of games that sees them play 14 games over a span of nine days. The first couple of games on Concordia's schedule see them match up against Cardinal Stritch Wolves, West Virginia Tech Golden Bears, and Indiana South Bend Titans. The Cardinals came into the game with a record of 6-4, while the Wolves entered at 4-2, the Golden Bears entered at 9-3, with the Titans came in at 7-5.
Game 1 3/11: Cardinal Stritch 2, Concordia 1
The first game of the spring break trip saw Hannah Duchene take the mound as she would go the full game while taking the hard loss. Throughout the course of the game, Duchene gave up two runs on seven hits while striking out four batters in the game.
After a threatening first inning from both sides, the Wolves would strike first as Wilson doubled to center field to score the first run of the game that only saw three total. In the third, the Wolves would take their second score of the game with a ground out.
In the sixth inning, the Cardinals would try to mount a comeback as Shannon McAlinden start the inning with a double to center field. After getting to third on a passed ball McAlinden came home to score on a Maddy Grueter single. The Cards would end the game going 1-2-3.
Game 2 3/13: Concordia 5, West Virginia Tech 2
Getting the start again in the first of a tripleheader Sunday would be Hannah Duchene. Once again going the full distance, Duchene would allow two runs, one earned on five hits, while striking out three batters.
After a quick first two innings, the Cardinals would take the first lead of the game as Payton Lewis bunted and was safe after the first baseman dropped the ball scoring both Jada Stephenson and Shannon McAlinden would score on the play. The fourth inning would see three more Cardinals cross the plate as Abbie Begley would score on an error, and Kennedy Cornette and Morgan Scott both score on a McAlinden single to center field.
The Golden Bears would attempt to fight back throughout the next two innings as they would tack on two runs with a couple of singles. The Cards would be able to close out the game for the first win of the trip.
Game 3: Concordia 5, Indiana South Bend 2
Hitting the mound for the middle game of the day was Paige Anderson. Although Anderson would allow seven hits, the defense would back her up solidly, as only two runs would cross the plates, while also striking out four batters.
Striking first in the bottom of the third would be the Cardinals as Abbie Begley put the first run on the board as she hit a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Shannon McAlinden. Maddy Grueter was the first to get on base in the fourth with a single. She would come around to score on a Sarah Tyrell single, two plays later Payton Lewis would hit a ball to second that would pull the first baseman off of the bag as Morgan Scott scored on the play.
Scoring twice in the fifth, the Titans would attempt a comeback as they would get a groundout RBI and an RBI single to make the score 3-2. The Cardinals would score once in their final two innings at-bat as they would take advantage and tack on some insurance runs as Morgan Scott single and an Abbie Begley single to bring the final score of the game to 5-2.
Game 4: West Virginia Tech 5, Concordia 4
The final pitcher to get the starting nod of the day for the Cardinals was Megan Martin. Martin would go on to pitch 3.1 innings and left with the bases loaded. She gave up five runs on six hits and struck out three batters.
Both teams would strike in the first inning as the Golden Bears would score off of a single through the left side of the field. The bottom half saw Sarah Tyrell double and come around to score on an Abbie Begley singled to the shortstop.
The next time the Cardinals were able to plate a couple of runs was in the third innings as three came across to score. Payton Lewis would grab an RBI on a sacrifice bunt, while Jada Stephenson and Tyrell both scored on separate errors by the Golden Bears' defense.
Roaring back to take the lead was WVU Tech as they were able to score four runs to take the 5-4 lead. The Golden Bears loaded the bases and took their first run after a hit by pitch, followed by back-to-back doubles scoring three runs on those two hits.
Despite the Cardinal's attempts to mount a comeback throughout the final three innings up to a couple of solid plays made by the Golden Bears defense held the team to no runs.
Two other Cardinals would see action over the course of the game as Kate Elias and Kendall Kahl would combine to close out the final 3.2 innings. Elias gave up a couple of inherited runs to finish off the fourth inning, as she allowed two hits. Kahl pitched the final three innings as she would give up zero runs on four hits and strike out one batter.
The Cards head back to the diamond tomorrow afternoon as they will take on Hannibal-Lagrange and WVU Tech with the first game beginning at 11:45 am.
