(Rosemont, IL) - The Concordia Cardinals Softball team finished up play at the NAIA Leadoff Tournament with a pair of games as they picked up a 2-1 win against the host team Roosevelt before falling against #24 Saint Xavier in the later game.
The Cardinals now move to 6-1 on the season.
GAME 1 - #RV CONCORDIA 2, ROOSEVELT 1
Emilee Underwood began and ended the game in the pitching circle as she pitched a complete game while only allowing 4 hits and 1 unearned run and struck out 9 batters on the day.
After back-to-back "3-and-outs" from both sides the Lakers were able to get the first run to cross the plate in the second. The second inning saw Roosevelt take advantage of an error and an interference call at third base to score their sole run of the game.
Shannon McAlinden was able to break up the Lakers no-hitter with a bunt single in the fourth inning. It would take another inning for CUAA to break through the run column when they were able to get runners on second and third, and Elyse Brittain scored Katie Tobias on a fielder's choice.
CUAA threatened in the sixth inning as yet again had runners on first and third with 0 out, but would strike out twice and fly out to end the inning. Underwood struck out the first batter of the inning as she would then allow a single which was followed directly by a 1-6-3 double play to end the inning. Jada Stephenson started the inning with a single and then Sarah Tyrell followed by reaching on an error. The Cardinals would then score the winning run on a suicide sacrifice bunt as Stephenson was caught in a rundown but scored as the catcher dropped the ball.
GAME 2 - #24 SAINT XAVIER 3, #RV CONCORDIA 0
Paige Anderson pitched a complete game in the circle for CUAA as she allowed 3 runs with only 1 earned. She also recorded 3 strikeouts.
After a 1-2-3 top of the first, the Cougars grabbed the first run of the game on an RBI single to left field. The second inning saw the Cardinals threaten as Katie Tobias made her way to third base after hitting a double and advancing on an error. CUAA would not be able to score though when three straight batters got out. SXU put 2 more runs on the board in the bottom of the third as they took advantage of the Cardinals' errors to make it 3-0.
CUAA would threaten in the fourth and sixth innings as they were able to get runners to second base, but would not be able to push any runs across the plate.
TOP PERFORMERS
Shannon McAlinden recorded a team-high 3 hits on the day and both Faith Cramton, Katie Tobias, and Cassidy grabbed a double. Emilee Underwood and Paige Anderson pitched 7 innings apiece as Underwood tallied 9 strikeouts and Anderson 3 strikeouts.
UP NEXT
The Cardinals will head out to Iowa next weekend for a total of four games as they will play the first two on Saturday against St. Ambrose and Mount Mercy with the first game beginning on at 9:30 AM on February 24.
