(Ann Arbor, MI) - The Concordia Cardinals softball team took the field for the first time in April today as they battle Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) foe in the Aquinas Saints. The Cardinals fell in their previous two games to Northwestern Ohio last week and looked to rebound today against the Saints.
The Cardinals entered the day with an overall record of 20-8 and 2-2 in WHAC play. The Saints came into the game with a 21-5 record and a 3-1 WHAC record.
GAME 1 - CONCORDIA 6, AQUINAS 5
The Cardinals sent out Emilee Underwood on the mound for the first game of the series against the Saints. Underwood pitched 5.2 innings, allowing 7 hits, and 4 runs (2 earned), while striking out 3 batters.
After the Saints plated two runs in the top of the first on a single, CUAA would come back right away scoring three runs. Payton Lewis and Madison Poe recorded back-to-back hits and Shannon McAlinden brought them both in on a home run to left center field for the 3-2 lead. Concordia put up another run in the second inning when Sarah Tyrell reached on a fielder's choice and Jada Stephenson scored.
Both teams stayed quiet until the fifth and sixth innings when Aquinas plated a run in each to tie the game. Cassidy Kane came into pitch in the sixth with 2 runners on and 2 outs and would strike out the Saints batter to get out of the jam with the score tied at 4. The Saints put up their third straight run to take their first lead since the opening frame.
Bella Lee started the rally in the bottom of the seventh. The Cardinals down to their final out would see Sarah Tyrell double to right field for a tied game. Lewis would intentionally walk and Poe would single to load the bases. McAlinden came through once again as she walked the game off on an RBI single through the left side.
Kane (2-1) earned the win in the game pitching the final 1.1 innings allowing 1 hit and 1 unearned run.
GAME 2 - AQUINAS 7, CONCORDIA 5
Getting the start for CUAA in game 2 was Paige Anderson. Anderson (6-5) pitched 6 innings, allowing 10 hits and 7 runs as she struck out 3 batters.
The Saints grabbed a solo home run to lead off the game as they plated three more runs on a bases-clearing double. CUAA got some of those runs back in the bottom half of the inning with the double steal on as Madison Poe stole second and Payton Lewis came home to score.
The second inning saw the Cards tie the game with a pair of runs on a sacrifice fly and then Jada Stephenson scoring on a steal attempt by Lewis. Madison Poe led off the third inning with her first home run of her Cardinal career. CUAA led 5-4 after 3 innings of play.
The fifth inning saw the lead change hands once again with AQ scoring a pair of home runs on a home run to right field for the 6-5 lead. An insurance run in the seventh saw the Saints holding the two-run advantage which they would hold on to for the 7-5 victory.
TOP PERFORMERS
Madison Poe led the team with 4 hits on the day including a solo home run. Payton Lewis recorded 3 hits, with 2 of them being doubles. Shannon McAlinden led the day with 5 RBIs and Sarah Tyrell recorded 3.
UP NEXT
The Cardinals will be back on the road when they travel to Siena Heights for a doubleheader tomorrow with the first pitch at 1 PM.
