(Grand Rapids, MI) – Concordia softball traveled west to face off against Cornerstone in a WHAC doubleheader on Wednesday. The first game required extra innings with the Cardinals narrowly falling 10-9. Cornerstone took game 2 by a score of 10-3 to close the day.
Game 1 – CU 10, CUAA 9 (8 innings)
Paige Anderson started game 1, making 2 strikeouts in 1.2 innings. Shannon McAlinden led off the game with a double and was driven in on an RBI groundout by Payton Lewis. Cornerstone tied the game with a run in the bottom of the 1st.
The Golden Eagles added 4 runs in the 2nd. Kendall Kahl came in to finish the inning on the mound, making 3 strikeouts in 3.1 innings. The Cardinals got a run back in the 4th on an RBI single from Shannon McAlinden that scored Sarah Tyrrell.
A 5-run 5th inning put Concordia in the lead. Payton Lewis scored on error and Bella Lee used a sacrifice fly to drive in Maddy Greuter. A 2-out pop fly was dropped by Cornerstone's center fielder, allowing Cassidy Kane to score the tying run. Sarah Tyrrell added the go-ahead run on a passed ball and Shannon McAlinden hit an RBI double to drive in Jada Stephenson.
Cassidy Kane came in to pitch starting in the 6th, making 3 strikeouts in 2.2 innings. Cornerstone tied the game 7-7 with runs in the 5th and 6th. The Cardinals took the lead in the 7th when a fielder's choice situation allowed Maddy Greuter to make it home. However, the Golden Eagles tied the game in the bottom of the 7th to force extra innings.
Payton Lewis used an RBI bunt to score Shannon McAlinden in the 8th, putting the team up 9-8. However, Cornerstone tied the game with a solo home run and used a walk-off bases-loaded single to clinch the game.
Game 2 – CU 10, CUAA 3
Hannah Duchene, Kate Elias, Megan Martin and Paige Anderson combined to pitch game 2. Cornerstone took a 4-0 lead after 2 runs in the 1st and 2nd.
The Cardinals battled back with 3 runs in the 3rd. Lauren Martin scored on a fielder's choice situation and Dee Campbell used an RBI groundout to score Shannon McAlinden. Payton Lewis reached home on an error to cap the inning.
Cornerstone extended their lead with 6 runs in the 5th. The Cardinals looked to mount a comeback when they loaded the bases in the 7th inning, but the Golden Eagles' defense held and they took game 2.
