(Tucson, AZ) - The Concordia Cardinals softball team continued their play at the Tucson Invitational Games on Tuesday as they took on the University of Jamestown and #11 Northwestern (IA).
GAME 1 - Jamestown 6, Concordia 5
The Cardinals struck first right away as on the second pitch Payton Lewis laced a double to left field and following a sacrifice bunt and a fielder's choice was able to score the first run of the game.
Paige Anderson got the start in the circle for the Card's and was able to pitch a quick 1-2-3 first and second inning. The score remained the same until CUAA had two runners cross the plate on a Faith Cramton single that scored Katie Tobias and Maddy Greuter.
Both sides put up a run in the sixth as the Cards pieced together a couple of sacrifice bunts together and would see Madalyn Weineke score on Lewis' bunt. The Jimmies scored on a single up the middle for their first run of the game.
Concordia was able to load the bases up in the seventh and plated an insurance run on a Weineke groundout which Grueter scored on. The Jimmies though would not go away as they were able to plate five runs in the bottom of the inning to walk-off the game for the win.
Anderson's final line was 6.1 innings, giving up four runs (three earned) on seven hits with two strikeouts. Kendall Kahl (1-2)
GAME 2 - #11 Northwestern (IA) 11, Concordia 1 - 5 Innings
Hannah Duchene was the first pitcher in the circle for the Cardinals as she totaled 3.1 innings pitched allowing six runs (five earned) on 10 hits with one strikeout.
The Red Raiders got right to hitting on the offensive end as they had a leadoff triple followed by an RBI single. Later in the inning they scored their second run on another RBI single. CUAA battled back in the bottom of the first with a run of their own using a Payton Lewis and Maddy Grueter single and a Katie Tobias sacrifice fly to cut the lead in half.
The second and third innings saw Northwestern put up one run in each inning using a sacrifice fly and an infield single to score the two runs. Then the Red Raiders put up two runs in the top of the fourth on a home run to left field. CUAA threatened in the bottom half of the inning with a Faith Cramton double but unable to advance her further.
In the fifth inning five more NWC runs crossed the plate with one coming on a hit by pitch and the final four coming on a grand slam to center field.
Elyse Brittain pitched the final 1.2 innings for the Cards, allowing five runs on two hit with one strikeout.
UP NEXT
The Cardinals will have an off day tomorrow and will take on Bellevue (NE) Thursday, March 6 at 1 PM EST.
