(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia Softball has been preparing to begin its 2024 campaign. The Cardinals claimed the NCCAA World Series title last year, finishing the season 44-17 overall. Head coach Hailey Cavanagh, who was named NCCAA National Coach of the Year, enters her 7th year at the program's helm, bringing back 19 returners while adding 9 newcomers.
2023 Season Review
Concordia finished 44-17 overall last year with a 16-6 WHAC record. The Cardinals racked up an 11-game winning streak early in the year while picking up 6 sweeps in conference play. CUAA split with Madonna and Indiana Tech who were receiving votes at the time.
Concordia advanced to the championship game of the WHAC Tournament, eliminating UM-Dearborn, Aquinas, and Cornerstone along the way. The team fell to Madonna in a close 2-0 contest in the final.
CUAA received a berth in the NCCAA World Series to continue their season. The Cardinals picked up three shutouts at the event and downed Trinity Christian 8-1 to clinch the title.
Two players also received national honors with Shannon McAlinden and Payton Lewis each earning honors from the NCCAA, NAIA, and CSC. McAlinden was named an NCCAA Second Team All-American, NAIA Second Team All-American, and the CSC All-America Team. Lewis was an NCCAA First Team All-American, an NAIA Honorable Mention, and a member of the CSC All-America team.
2024 Schedule Outlook
The Cardinals will begin the 2024 season by receiving votes in the initial NAIA poll as they received 41 votes. The WHAC released their preseason poll last week as well, with the Cardinals being picked first in the conference with 136 points and earning 7 first-place votes.
Concordia will begin their season at the NAIA Leadoff Tournament, playing 7 games from February 9-11 including a match with #24 Saint Xavier. The Cardinals compete at the Saint Ambrose Dome Tournament from February 24-25 with a doubleheader each day.
From March 3-8, the Cardinals will head to Florida for spring break to play a total of 12 games. The team will then play a 4-game weekend series against Georgetown. WHAC play begins with a home doubleheader against UNOH on March 23. The Cardinals travel to UM-Dearborn and then host rival Madonna for a doubleheader to close the month on March 30.
In April, the team travels to Indiana Tech before hosting Aquinas on April 6. After a rivalry matchup at Siena Heights, the Cardinals will play host to Lawrence Tech. Concordia heads on the road to Cornerstone and Rochester before closing the regular season with a home series against Lourdes and Cleary.
Concordia Personnel
Seniors: Shannon McAlinden, who earned a WHAC First Team All-Conference honor, comes back after batting .410 with 53 RBI and 9 home runs. Katie Tobias, returns after winning WHAC Co-Newcomer of the Year, had 53 RBI including 7 home runs along with a .393 average. Cassidy Kane batted .370 while also earning 4 pitching wins with 33 strikeouts and a 2.10 ERA. Jada Stephenson, was named to the WHAC Second Team All-Conference last year, returns after batting .338 with 25 RBI. Sarah Tyrrell, was also named to the WHAC Second Team All-Conference last season, batted .309 last year with 10 RBI. Hannah Duchene will return to the pitching staff this season.
Juniors: Payton Lewis, who is the reigning WHAC Player of the Year, had a team-leading 90 hits and a .429 batting average last season. Paige Anderson earned a spot on the WHAC First Team All-Conference team, as she led the pitching staff with 23 wins, 126 strikeouts, and a 2.01 ERA. Elyse Brittain had 32 RBI with 5 home runs and a .324 average while also pitching for 8 wins, 48 strikeouts, and a 1.90 ERA. Maddy Grueter had 20 RBI and 2 home runs along with a .291 average. Bella Lee was solid as a catcher while notching 7 RBI and a .262 average. Morgan Scott had 6 hits and 10 RBI. Megan Martin had 5 hits while pitching 5 innings with 5 strikeouts. Junior Lauren Rhodea saw action in 4 games and stole a base.
Sophomores: Madison Poe had 28 hits with 13 RBI and a .412 average. Brooklin Cox showed speed as a pinch runner with 6 runs scored and one stolen base. Emma Thompson saw action in five games with 4 at-bats. Summer Brady had 4 hits with a .400 average. Carlie Atcheson played in 4 games with 2 hits. Jayla Foster adds depth as an infielder.
Newcomers: The Cardinals have added 9 newcomers: sophomore transfers Elliana Gaines and Faith Cramton, and freshmen Amber Lamphier, Emmi Liptow, Emilee Underwood, Kaleigh McClleland, Madalyne Wieneke, Mia Bendinelli, and Sarah McManus.
Head coach Hailey Cavanagh is joined by assistant coach Sam Capuzzi, student assistant Koryn Playford, and student managers Caitlyn Traviglia, Isabella Schwirzinski, Mallory DuRussel, and Olivia Grimpo.
2023 Team Stats
