MEQUON, Wis. – The Concordia University Wisconsin softball team split its conference doubleheader with Aurora on Wednesday afternoon. Strong winds impacted both games, with gusts reaching 26 mph. It also marks the second straight season the two programs have split their conference series. Aurora still holds a 37-14 advantage in the all-time series. The Falcons move to 17-9 overall and 8-2 in NACC play.
 
GAME 1 | Concordia Wisconsin 4, Aurora 2
Aurora struck first in the opening inning of game one, but the Falcons quickly responded in the bottom half of the frame.
 
Junior Jenna Shadoski (Janesville, Wis.) led off the inning with a triple to right field before senior Rylie DuVal (Elgin, Ill.) drew a walk. Sophomore Anya Weiler (Hudson, Wis.) then hit a ball to the Spartans' shortstop for a fielder's choice that allowed Shadoski to score and tie the game.
 
The game remained tied at 1-1 until the top of the fifth inning when Aurora plated a run to take a 2-1 lead.
 
CUW answered in the sixth with a three-run rally. With two runners in scoring position, freshman Hope Hughes (Joliet, Ill.) delivered an RBI single to bring home the tying run. Junior Isa Bruno (Chicago, Ill.) followed with a pinch-hit sacrifice fly to center field to give the Falcons the lead. Shadoski capped the inning with an RBI double to center field to extend the advantage.
 
Aurora threatened in the top of the seventh, but the Falcon defense held strong to secure the game one victory.
 
Freshman Faith Keiper (Tomball, Texas) started in the circle for CUW, pitching five innings while recording three strikeouts and allowing three walks. Junior Kylie Strupp (Slinger, Wis.) pitched the final two innings to earn the win, allowing just one hit as she improved to 4-1 on the season.
 
GAME 2 | Aurora 3, Concordia Wisconsin 2
Game two turned into a pitcher's duel, with junior Emma Shellstrom (San Diego, Calif.) taking the circle for the Falcons. Both teams were held hitless through the first four innings before each recorded a hit in the fifth.
 
Aurora broke through first, scoring in the top of the fifth to take a 1-0 lead.
 
The Falcons responded in the bottom of the sixth thanks to another clutch pinch-hit from Isa Bruno. With two runners in scoring position, Bruno delivered a two-RBI single to right field to give CUW a 2-1 advantage.
 
Aurora answered in the top of the seventh, capitalizing on a pair of defensive miscues to score two runs and reclaim the lead at 3-2. The Spartans then held the Falcons scoreless in the bottom half to secure the split.
 
Five Falcons recorded hits in game two, including Jenna Lischka (Jr.-Manitowoc, Wis.), Kaitlyn Way (Jr.-Blaine, Minn.), Maggie Plahmer (Sr.-Slinger, Wis.), Nora Statz (Sr.-Helenville, Wis.), and Bruno. Freshmen Grace Olson (Kenosha, Wis.) and Meredith Cann (Naperville, Ill.) each added a stolen base after entering as pinch runners.
 
Shellstrom pitched a complete game, allowing just three hits and no earned runs while striking out three, and moves to 6-5 on the season.
 
CUW returns to action Saturday at Benedictine. The conference doubleheader is