MEQUON, Wis. – The Concordia Wisconsin softball team closed their first homestand of the season on Saturday in a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference doubleheader against the Concordia Chicago Cougars. The Falcons fell in 11 innings in game one but quieted the Cougars with an 8-3 victory in game two. The Falcons are now 11-7 on the year ad 3-1 in NACC play.
The Cougars slashed the Falcons with two runs in the second inning.
The Falcons earned a run back in the bottom half of the inning when senior Julia Moker (Richfield, Wis.) smashed a ball to shortstop and junior Jenna Lischka (Manitowoc, Wis.) was too speedy and beat the tag at home.
The Cougars pushed the lead back to two runs with a run in the third inning.
Senior Maggie Plahmer (Slinger, Wis.) tied the game in the fifth inning with a single to third base that plated junior Jenna Shadoski (Janesville, Wis.) the throw to first base was off target and allowed senior Rylie DuVal (Elgin, Ill.) to also score.
The Cougars took the lead again in the 11th inning with a home run.
The Falcons threatened in the bottom half of the inning when junior Emma Shellstrom (San Diego, Calif.) crushed the ball off the wall in left field for a double but a blocked home plate prohibited the Falcons from tying the game and the Cougars claimed the extra-inning victory.
The dynamic duo of Maggie Plahmer and Emma Shellstrom had two hits each in game one.
The Falcons stole three bases in the first game, with Jenna Shadoski, Rylie DuVal and freshman Meredith Cann (Naperville, Ill.) all taking a base.
Freshman Faith Keiper (Tomball, Texas) had four strikeouts in the start. Junior Kylie Strupp (Slinger, Wis.) snagged five strikeouts in a strong eight innings of relief.
The Falcons struck first in game two in the first inning after Jenna Shadoski positioned herself on third base after a single, a stolen base and Jenna Lischka moving her to third. Rylie DuVal finished the job with a fielder's choice to shortstop but Jenna Shadoski was just too fast and scored.
The Cougars tied the game in the fourth inning with a sacrifice fly.
The Birds bounced back with three runs in the bottom of the inning.
Senior Nora Statz (Helenville, Wis.) placed the ball to shortstop and Maggie Plahmer scored on the play.
Julia Moker then smacked the ball to deep center field and scored junior Isa Bruno (Chicago, Ill.) on a sacrifice fly.
In the fifth inning, Maggie Plahmer crushed the ball over the center field fence for a home run that also scored sophomore Anya Weiler (Hudson, Wis.) and Rylie DuVal.
The Cougars bit into the Falcons lead with a pair of runs in the sixth inning, but Rylie DuVal ended the scoring with a single up the middle in the sixth to send in Jenna Shadoski.
Jenna Shadoski remained perfect at base stealing with another stolen base in game two.
Emma Shellstrom kept the Cougars quiet in the circle and four strikeouts in the victory.
The Falcons have a quick turnaround and will travel to Lakeland on Sunday.
