Softball hands Lakeland first conference losses in Saturday sweep

MEQUON, Wis. – The Concordia University Wisconsin Softball team knocked Lakeland College from the ranks of the Northern Athletics Conference unbeaten, sweeping the Muskies Saturday at the CUW Softball Field. The Falcons won the opener 8-1 before holding on for a 12-9 game two victory.

In game one junior pitcher Jamie Schuh (Freedom, Wis.) baffled the LC batters as she went the distance, allowing just four hits and striking out nine to gain her sixth victory of the season. Schuh allowed one run in seven innings of work.

After a scoreless first two innings the Falcons jumped on the board in the top of the third by scoring two runs. Junior Stephanie Kramer (Fond du Lac, Wis.) gave CUW its first run of the contest when she drove in leadoff batter Jessica Liszka (sophomore, Lindenhurst, Ill.). Senior Cara Landherr (Waukesha, Wis.) then drove in senior Jannelle Schroder (Colgate, Wis.) to give CUW a 2-0 edge.

The CUW lead stood at 4-1 until the top of the seventh when it broke the game open with four runs, taking the opener 8-1. Sophomore Sara Skarda (Pleasant Prairie, Wis.) had the big hit of the seventh, recording a two-RBI single. Skarda finished the first game with three hits, two runs scored, and two driven in from the nine spot in the order.

Three other Falcons tallied two hits in the first game as Liszka, Schroder, and junior Mariah Giesseman (Sturgeon Bay, Wis.) all had multiple hits. Kramer drove in two runs in the opener.

The second game was full of offense from both teams, but the Falcons ultimately held on for a 12-9 victory. CUW (13-11, 7-3 NAC) came out strong scoring 10 runs in the first three innings, building a 10-5 lead after three complete.

The Muskies (8-11, 4-2 NAC) made a strong effort at a comeback attempt as they plated two runs each in the fifth and sixth innings of game two, cutting the margin to one at 10-9 in favor of the Falcons. CUW would add insurance in the seventh, scoring two runs, which included a solo home run from senior Abbie Goetsch (Grayslake, Ill.).

CUW got plenty of production from its entire lineup in the second contest, including a 4-for-5 performance from Liszka. Liska also scored twice and drove in two from the leadoff spot. Schroder added two runs and two hits from the number two spot in the order, while Kramer went 3-for-4 with three RBIs for the Falcons. Skarda continued her strong play with a 2-for-3, two runs scored performance, and Giesseman scored three times and tallied two hits.

Freshman Melissa Perkins (Park Forest, Ill.) earned the win by pitching five innings for CUW. Schuch gained her second save of the season, pitching the final two frames for the Falcons.

CUW will return to action tomorrow when they play their first conference games away from the CUW Softball Field by traveling to take on Aurora University. First pitch is set for 12 p.m.