Falcons Close Out 2024 Season in NACC Tournament

MONTGOMERY, Ill. - The Concordia Wisconsin softball team saw its 2024 campaign come to a close on Thursday, as the Marian Sabres ousted the Falcons 7-4 in the NACC Tournament.

The Sabres got on the scoreboard in the opening inning, as a single brought a pair of runs across the plate. Marian expanded on its lead further in the third frame, scoring five runs to take a commanding 7-0 hold of the contest.

Concordia cut into the deficit in the bottom half of the third, as sophomore Riley DuVal (Elgin, Ill.)  broke into the scorebook with a triple to left field, scoring junior Adrianna Martinez (Chicago, Ill.). Senior Madi Wheat (Coweta, Okla.) did further damage for the Falcons three at-bats later, scoring DuVal with an RBI single. Senior Claudia Utz (Lockport, Ill.) batted in the final run of the inning, sending a ball to center field that brought senior Sydney Erdmann (Geneva, Ill.)  across the plate.

Sydney Erdmann would go on to record an RBI of her own in the following inning, as a groundout scored senior Gabby Gaziano (Beloit, Wis.), bringing the Falcons within three runs.

Ultimately, the margin proved to be too great to overcome, as Concordia fell to the Sabres, 7-4, after an absence of scoring on either side for the remainder of the game.

Freshman Emma Shellstrom (San Diego, Calif.) tossed five innings for the Falcons on the mound, striking out three batters while allowing just one earned run.

Concordia had an impressive season at the plate, making numerous appearances in the program record books. Junior Jess Pozezinski (Lake Villa, Ill.) expanded on her own program record, smashing fifteen homers in the 2024 season. Pozezinski and Utz likewise became the first Concordia duo to reach double-digits in home runs in a single season. As a team, the Falcons broke the single-season home run record, totaling 33 homers.

The Falcons' total 241 RBIs over the 2024 season represented the fifth-highest total in program history.

Concordia would like to thank the senior class of 2024 of Sydney Erdmann, Claudia Utz, Gabbi Gaziano, Madi Wheat, Lexi Bridenhagen, Emily Walters and Caitlyn Huberty for everything they have given to the program during their time at CUW.

Concordia finished the season with a 25-12 record and 19-5 mark in conference play.