MANKATO, Minn. – The Concordia Wisconsin softball team faced an early start on Sunday morning, taking on Carleton and Gustavus Adolphus in a pair of nonconference matchups. Carleton opened the day with a 2-0 victory, but the Falcons rebounded with a 3-2 win over Gustavus Adolphus to move to 2-2 on the young season.

Carleton struck first with a two-run home run in the second inning and held that lead for the morning.

Junior Jenna Shadoski (Janesville, Wis.) ignited a fourth-inning opportunity with a single through the left side and then stole second to move into scoring position, but the Falcons were unable to push a run across.

Freshman Faith Keiper (Tomball, Texas) delivered a strong outing in the circle, striking out five over six innings of work.

In the second game, the Golden Gusties threatened early with runners on second and third and no outs. Gustavus loaded the bases, but the Falcons turned a timely double play to escape the jam.

Sophomore Anya Weiler (Hudson, Wis.) opened the scoring in the bottom of the fourth with a two-out single to right field that plated Shadoski from second.

Emma Shellstrom was dominant in the start, facing 24 batters and not allowing a run.

Gustavus grabbed the lead in the sixth with a two-run home run over the left-field fence, but the Falcons answered immediately in the bottom half. Shellstrom worked a leadoff walk before senior Maggie Plahmer (Slinger, Wis.) dropped down a bunt that was too hot to handle. Freshman Hope Hughes (Joliet, Ill.) followed with a bunt to third that created chaos and resulted in a throwing error, clearing the bases and moving Hughes to third.

The Gusties put two runners on in the seventh, but junior Kylie Strupp (Slinger, Wis.) shut the door with a swinging strikeout to secure the victory in the circle.

The Falcons will now travel south and return to action March 1 in Florida, where they will face John Jay and No. 1 Trine.