Offense stalls for Softball at NTC Spring Games

CLERMONT, Fla. - Concordia University Wisconsin's offense stalled in the first two games of the Falcon's trip to the NTC Spring Games. CUW managed just six hits and five runs over 16 innings as they dropped a 6-2 decision to Elmhurst College before falling 4-3 in nine innings to the University of Chicago on Saturday.

The Falcons took an early 2-0 lead against the Bluejays. Junior Cara Landherr (Waukesha, Wis.) singled to centerfield to drive home junior Holly Zinnecker (Roscoe, Ill.) for the first run of the game and Landherr scored on an infield error.

The victors, however, plated six runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take control down the stretch. CUW Senior Danielle Burke (Burlington, Wis.) started strong in the circle until EC roughed her up for five hits and a walk in the bottom of the fourth inning. She gave up a single and walked the following batter to begin the frame. Consecutive one out singles, a double and another single added up to the 6-2 advantage that Elmhurst maintained.

Stephanie Lori tossed seven innings of three-hit ball for EC to hold CUW from a comeback attempt. She finished with six strikeouts and four walks to earn the complete game victory. Burke took the loss for the Falcons, while senior Sheri Weidner (Mount Prospect, Ill.) threw 2.2 innings in relief and allowed just one hit.

Game Two CUW- U. of Chicago

During CUW's nightcap loss, the Falcons received nine strong innings of hurling from Jamie Schuh, but dropped the heartbreaking extra-inning affair. The sophomore from Freedom, Wisconsin struck out three, walked six and gave up six hits to take the loss.

Sarah Cochran scored her second run of the game in the bottom of the eighth inning on a passed ball to keep the Falcons alive, but the Maroons won on a two out RBI single in the ninth.

UC grabbed the first lead of the game with two runs in the top of the second inning on a two-RBI triple by Rachel Cloud. The Maroons held the advantage until the bottom of the fifth frame when CUW answered with a pair of runs to tie the game.

The Maroons earned the victory in the top of the ninth frame after an RBI single by Julia Schneider plated what proved to be the game winner. Schneider and Sarah Neuhaus led UC with two hits apiece, while four Maroons scored in the victory. Cochran scored twice for the Falcons.

CUW returns to action on Sunday at 12 p.m. (EST) against UW-Platteville before facing Buffalo State College at 3 p.m. (EST).