Softball splits with Concordia Chicago in NAC doubleheader

MEQUON, Wis. – The Concordia University Wisconsin softball team rebounded for a game two victory as they split with Concordia University Chicago Saturday at the CUW Softball Complex. The Cougars took the opener 7-3 before CUW held on for a 6-5 victory in the second game.

The Falcons were able to hold on in the second game as they held a 6-1 lead heading into the top of the seventh inning. CUC cut the lead to 6-5 and was threatening to grab the lead as it had the based loaded with just one out. Junior pitcher Jamie Schuh (Freedom, Wis.) had other ideas, however, as she earned the save, recording a strike out and getting the final batter to ground out to first to help CUW earn the split.

The Falcons built a 3-1 lead after four innings in the second game before adding three runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 6-1 advantage. Senior Cara Landherr (Waukesha, Wis.) had the big hit of the second contest as she belted a two-run home run in the fifth inning.

Freshman Melissa Perkins (Park Forest, Ill.) earned the win in the second game, pitching 6.1 innings and striking out two. Schuh pitched the final two-thirds of an inning to earn her first save of the season. Sami DeFord took the loss for CUC despite giving up just two earned runs in five innings of work.

In the opener it was the visiting Cougars who came out strong as they plated three runs in the first inning to grab a 3-0 lead. The Falcons and Cougars then each put one run across in innings two through four, with CUW getting a home run from junior Stephanie Kramer (Fond du Lac, Wis.) in the third, as the score was 6-3 after four complete. CUC would add on one run in the fifth, as they took game one 7-3.

Leadoff batter Olivia Hires played a big part in the Cougars game one victory as she went 4-for-4 with a triple and two doubles, while scoring three times to pace the CUC offense. Senior Holly Zinnecker (Roscoe, Ill.) went 3-for-4 in leading the Falcons in the opener.

DeFord earned the win for CUC (5-16, 2-6 NAC) as she tossed a complete game while striking out three batters. Schuh also went the distance for CUW, striking out four batters.

CUW (8-10, 2-2 NAC) will play a pair at home again tomorrow as they host Benedictine University in a NAC doubleheader. First pitch between the Falcons and Eagles is set for 12 p.m.