sioux falls, s.d. - a grand slam home run off of the bat of sami mattson closed the gap in concordia's nsic tournament first round game against #24 minnesota state, but msu's five early runs held on for a 5-4 decision. The golden bears suffer their first loss of the double-elimination tournament. They are due up for a 4:00 pm game against southwest minnesota state. box score

the mavericks jumped ahead 3-0 after the first inning, a two-run homer doing the most damage. Solo home runs were tagged on in the next two innings to put the golden bears in a 5-0 hole. But concordia's offense would tighten the game in the fourth inning, a home run ball making their own mark.

abby brundidge, tiff rodd and jamie lindboe singles were made fruitful with sami mattson up to bat. Mattson lifted her eighth home run of the season over the left field fence to circle the bases and get the team back into the game. Cassye mcmahon, pitching in relief, got out of every sticky situation put on by the mavericks in her four innings of work. Minnesota state base runners were left on base in each of the final four innings, many who had gotten into scoring position.

the golden bear offense was lifted with the fourth inning's work, but was silenced again in the remainder of the game. Aside from a fielding error and two walks, the golden bears were unable to get themselves on base against msu's kendra huettl. Concordia was out-hit 8-7 in the decision. They did not commit any fielding errors. Freshman ashley kluever took the loss in the game, giving up five earned runs through three innings.