(Ann Arbor, MI) - The Concordia Cardinals took the field for their third time in the last four days as they headed back onto the Cardinal Softball field for a matchup against the Blue Devils of Lawrence Tech University. The Cardinals entered the game at 21-21 and 4-10 in Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference play while the Blue Devils were 6-28 overall and 3-11 in the WHAC.
Game 1: Lawrence Tech 2, Concordia 1
Freshman Paige Anderson hit the bump for the first game of the series. Anderson would go on to pitch the entirety of the game and give up two runs on eight hits and strike out four batters.
In the top of the first Anderson saw the bases get loaded with one out, but was able to strike out a pair in order to preserve the 0-0 game. The Cardinals though had better luck in the bottom half as they were able to plate a run as Payton Lewis bunted for a single for Shannon McAlinden crossed the plate. It didn't take long for the LTU offense to even the game back up at one as they used a single, bunt, and a stolen base to tie it up.
Both teams would go pretty quick through the third inning as LTU would be the next to score in the fourth. The Blue Devils would piece together a walk and a single up the middle to go up 2-1, which would be the final score.
The Cardinals would threaten throughout a final couple of innings, but would not be able to piece together anything to tie the game up despite having a runner at second in the seventh inning.
Game 2: Concordia 9, Lawrence Tech 1 - 5 Innings
Hitting the mound for the second game of the series was Hannah Duchene. She would go on to pitch a solid game as she wouldn't allow a hit until the fourth inning. She would pitch the complete game while only allowing the solo run on only two hits and striking out two batters.
The Cardinals struck first in the game once again as they would plate two runs in the first inning. Shannon McAlinden doubled to score Payton Lewis, while Cassidy Kane singled to score McAlinden. The Cardinals would pick up another run in the third on a fielding error by the right-fielder. In the fourth inning, Duchene allowed her first hit in the game as the Blue Devils got on board with a bunt.
LTU would get on the board following a ground out to the Cardinal second baseman. The bats came alive in the bottom half of the inning though as the CUAA bats plated six runs to enforce the run rule. Shannon McAlinden would get the first run across the board after a fielder's choice on a close play at home. Maddy Grueter would add in a three-run shot to left field to give her seven home runs on the season. A couple of batters later Bella Lee would hit a single down the left-field line for the final two runs to come across the plate and score.
The Cardinals head to Rochester tomorrow for a Sunday series against Rochester with the first game of the doubleheader beginning at 1 pm.
