Softball drops two at Finlandia Dome Tournament

MARQUETTE, Mich. – Concordia University Wisconsin's softball team dropped a pair of games to Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference schools Sunday at the Finlandia University Dome Tournament. CUW began the day against UW-La Crosse, falling 8-4, before dropping a close one against UW-Stevens Point, 5-3.

Junior Mariah Giesseman (Sturgeon Bay, Wis.) had a strong day for the Falcons, going 3-for-7 over the two games and driving in three runs, including belting a home run against UWSP. Senior Cara Landherr (Waukesha, Wis.) also posted a 3-for-7 day at the dish with a home run of her own, while junior Alyssa Robison (Roselle, Ill.) added a round tripper Sunday. All three players recorded two home runs over four games in the dome.

The opener against the Eagles saw CUW jump on the board in the bottom of inning one, grabbing an early 1-0 lead. UWL would answer back, however with six runs over the next three innings to take a 6-1 advantage after three frames. The Falcons rallied for three in the bottom of the sixth on a three-run home run from Giesseman but the Eagles held on for the 8-4 win.

Giesseman drove in three to lead CUW in game one, while Landherr added an RBI of her own. UW-La Crosse was led by Allie Meyer as she drove in three runs. Megan Nelson earned the win for the Eagles, allowing three hits in the complete-game victory, while junior Jamie Schuh (Freedom, Wis.) took the loss, striking out three in 6.1 innings of work.

After falling behind 1-0 against the Pointers, CUW gained the lead in the bottom of the fourth when Robison hit a two-run home run, scoring her and Giesseman and giving the Falcons a 2-1 advantage. UWSP took the lead back with two in the top of the fifth but Landherr tied the game with one swing of the bat in the bottom of the inning, as the scoreboard read 3-3 after five complete.

Unfortunately for the Falcons, UWSP would tally on one run each in the sixth and seventh innings en route to the 5-3 victory. Landherr, Giesseman, and Robison all tallied two hits in the second game for CUW. The Pointers were led by Katie Shulfer as she went 3-for-4 with two runs scored.

Freshman Melissa Perkins (Park Forest, Ill.) took the loss despite a complete-game effort as she struck out three. Kali Riddell earned the win in relief for UWSP, throwing three innings and allowing four hits.

CUW (0-4) is now off until its spring break trip where they will play 10 games in six days in Clermont, Fla. The Falcons will play a challenging schedule on their trip as they play four teams ranked or receiving votes in the NFCA Coaches poll and six teams that ended 2012 regionally ranked.