Crook secures win No. 300, Softball splits at Finlandia Tournament
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Concordia Wisconsin | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 15 | 1 |
|
Lake Superior State | 0 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | X | 12 | 19 | 4 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Finlandia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 |
|
Concordia Wisconsin | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
MARQUETTE, Mich. – Concordia University Wisconsin Softball head coach Steve Crook won his 300th career game on Sunday as the Falcons defeated Finlandia University, 1-0 to give the coach his milestone victory. CUW also took on Division II Lake Superior State Sunday, falling by a 12-6 score.
In the 300th career win it was junior Melissa Perkins who delivered a gem, throwing a complete game shutout while surrendering just four hits. Perkins struck out three batters and walked just one as she faced just 27 hitters in the seven-inning effort.
For the second straight day the Falcons won via walk off, scoring their only run in the bottom of the seventh inning. Freshman Karly Jackson (Neenah, Wis.) drove in freshman Haley Spoerl (Salem, Wis.) to deliver the victory. The Falcons finished the opening game with just four hits as both Perkins and Finlandia's Miranda Brewer were difficult to solve.
Crook, now in his 16th season at CUW, has made the Falcons one of the top programs in the NACC year in and year out. The Falcons have won 20 or more games in six straight seasons under his guidance, including a program-best 32 in 2011. The winningest coach in CUW Softball history also led the Falcons to the NCAA Tournament in 2006 and 2009.
The Falcons offense came alive in the second game, as CUW scored six times and had 15 hits. Unfortunately Lake Superior State also brought the bats, belting out 19 hits for the 12-6 win.
Freshman Jamie Reiser (Ingleside, Ill.) went 4-for-4 at the dish for the Falcons in game two, finishing with three RBI and a double. Jackson added a two-run home run for CUW, while freshman Deidra Weinberger (Mayville, Wis.) collected three hits. Spoerl added a pair of hits, while Carly Sobrilsky (Brookfield, Wis.) roped a double.
Lake Superior State scored 10 of its 12 runs between the second and fourth frames, tallying four in the second and three each in the third and fourth, holding a 10-3 lead after four complete. The Falcons would answer with three in the top of the fifth but the Lakers added insurance runs in the fifth and sixth innings for the six-run win.
The Falcons will be off until their Spring Break trip to Clermont, Fla. In a couple of weeks. CUW opens play in the Sunshine State on March 14 in games against TCNJ and Lake Forest.
