2019-20 Stories of the Year (No. 9) Softball posts a program-best start
MEQUON, Wis. - The 2019-20 athletic year was another successful one for the Concordia Wisconsin Athletic Department. The Falcons won and contended for conference championships in many sports and put together an impressive list of great achievements. As in years past, the Department of Athletic Communications tries to sort through all the great moments and give you, the fans, top stories from the past year.
The list of stories was compiled by the Department of Athletic Communications and, like all lists, is subject to debate. The top stories will be revealed over the next four weeks, with a story being released on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The top story will be released on May 20.
No. 9 Story of the Year
Softball posts a program-best start
The Falcons posted a 4-0 record for the first time in program history with victories over Northland, Finlandia, Wisconsin-Stevens Point and Wisconsin-Superior at the Finlandia Dome Classic.
CUW started the year with a 10-0 victory over Northland. Sophomore Gina Followell (Romeoville, Ill.) threw a no-hitter with 11 strikeouts. Sophomore Krystal Cortes (Aurora, Ill.) had three of CUW's 14 hits.
The Blue and White then kept Finlandia off the scoreboard in an 8-0 victory. Sophomore Nicki Becker (Brodhead, Wis.) head seven strikeouts in the victory with sophomore Alyssa Vilkoski (Greenfield, Wis.) adding two more strikeouts in relief. Junior Kelsey Bollon (Orangeville, Ill.) led the flock with three hits, while senior Emma Schimberg (Random Lake, Wis.) secured two RBI. Senior Molly O'Connell (New London, Wis.) sank the Lions with two runs on two hits.
The Pointers proved to be the toughest challenge in the 2020 campaign with a 6-5 battle. Senior Samantha Schloegl (Genoa City, Wis.) led CUW with two hits. Junior Jenna Pozezinski (Lake Villa, Ill.) secured three RBI in the victory. Gina Followell fanned eight batters in the start and Nicki Becker earned the victory with three strikeouts.
In what turned out to be the final game of the year, CUW cruised to an 8-0 victory over UW-Superior. Krystal Cortes finished with two hits and four RBI. Freshman Claudia Utz (Lockport, Ill.) also added three runs. Nicki Becker picked up her third victory of the season.
The Falcons brought in a handful of honors for their 4-0 performance.
Nicki Becker was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament and the NACC Pitcher of the Week after posting a 3-0 record in the circle on the weekend. She also recorded 12 strikeouts and a 0.00 earned-run average.
Krystal Cortes was named to the All-Tournament Team and the NACC Position Player of the Week after she led CUW with six hits, including two doubles. She also notched three RBI and two walks.
Three other Falcons were named to the Finlandia Dome Classic All-Tournament Team. Molly O'Connell made her second appearance on the Dome Classic All-Tournament Team. Kelsey Bollon finished the season with six hits, including two doubles. She also led the flock with five RBI. Gina Followell earned a victory in the circle and had 19 strikeouts.
2019-20 CUW Athletics Stories of the Year
HM: Women's Basketball and Football break records
No. 10: Sam Otto of Men's Golf breaks 36-hole record
No. 9: Softball posts program-best start
No. 8: May 4
No. 7: May 6
No. 6: May 8
No. 5: May 11
No. 4: May 13
No. 3: May 15
No. 2: May 18
No. 1: May 20
