(Ann Arbor, MI) - The Concordia Cardinals Softball team played at the NAIA Leadoff Tournament for the second straight day as they would take on Indiana South Bend, Bethel (IN), and Judson. The Cardinals would outscore their opponents 28-3 on their way to a 3-0 day. CUAA is now 5-0 on the young 2024 season.
GAME 1 - #RV CONCORDIA 16, INDIANA SOUTH BEND 1
Paige Anderson (2-0) started the game for the Cardinals as she would allow one hit throughout the first three innings.
Concordia broke into the scoring column first in the fourth inning when they put up a 5-spot. Maddy Grueter brought in the first two runs as she scored Katie Tobias and Summer Brady. Grueter would then steal home on a double steal. Cassidy Kane singled home the fourth run with Jada Stephenson scoring. Payton Lewis would then score the fifth run as she crossed the plate on a double steal that ultimately ended the inning.
That 5-run inning would jumpstart the Cardinal's offense as 11 runs crossed the plate in what would end up being the final inning of the game. Tobias singled home the first run with Shannon McAlinden crossing the plate. Grueter would earn a bases-loaded walk which was followed by a Stephenson single with Faith Cramton and Tobias scoring. Lewis and Kane ended up hitting back-to-back singles as Elyse Brittain and Grueter scored on those hits. McALinden cleared the bases with a 3-run home run. With the final two CUAA runs coming on a Kaliegh McClelland triple and an Amber Lamphier RBI ground out.
Anderson pitched 5 innings giving up 1 hit with 2 strikeouts. Amber Lamphier would also pitch in the fifth inning allowing 1 run on 1 hit.
GAME 2 - #RV CONCORDIA 5, BETHEL (IN) 2
Emilee Underwood (2-0) took the circle for CUAA's second game of the day. She would pitch 7 innings while allowing 2 runs (1 earned) while striking out 8.
After a quick top of the first, the Cardinal bats got right to work with Payton Lewis scoring on an attempted double-steal. The third inning saw both teams grab runs as Bethel grabbed their first run on a single. Concordia's three runs came on a base-emptying 3-run triple from Katie Tobias that saw Kalleigh McClelland, Shannon McAlinden, and Cassidy Kane. Another CUAA run came across the plate on a McAlinden ground-rule double, scoring Jada Stephenson.
The final Pilots run came in the top of the sixth inning on a double to left field. Underwood could strike out the final two batters of the game to close out Bethel.
GAME 3 - #RV CONCORDIA 7, JUDSON 0
Elyse Brittain (1-0) earned the win in the circle for the third and final game of the day after pitching a complete game. She gave up 5 hits in the game and struck out 5 batters as well.
The Cards struck first in the bottom of the first as Payton Lewis scored on an error by the Eagle's first baseman. The third inning saw the next CUAA run as Cassidy Kane singled up the middle to score Jada Stephenson. 3 runs would come across the plate for Concordia in the fourth when Lewis singled to score Mia Bendinelli and Emma Thompson. The final two runs would come two innings later when Carlie Atcheson pinch-hit and singled home Lewis and Stephenson.
TOP PERFORMERS
Leading the Cardinals on the day were Cassidy Kane and Jada Stephenson who picked up 7 and 6 hits respectively. Kane also drove in 5 runs, while Shannon McAlinden and Katie Tobias drove in 4 apiece.
Emilee Underwood and Elyse Brittain each pitched 7 innings for the Cards as they struck out 7 and 5 batters respectively. Paige Anderson allowed 1 hit over her 5 innings of work.
UP NEXT
The Cardinals will close the NAIA Leadoff Tournament with two games tomorrow against the host Roosevelt and #24 Saint Xavier (IL). The first game will begin at 9 AM EST.
