ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Concordia University softball team (2-5) is heading south this weekend as they travel to Orlando, Florida to play in the NTC Spring Games. The Golden Bears are scheduled to play 10 games starting on Sunday, March 8^th, and ending on Saturday, March 14^th.
 
CU opens up action with California (Pa.) at 2 p.m. and Kutztown (Pa.) at 4 p.m. on Sunday after the team gets their first outdoor practice of the year in on Saturday. The Golden Bears also face Bentley (Mass.) and East Stroudsburg (Pa.) on Monday, Slippery Rock (Pa.) and Quincy (Ill.) on Tuesday, West Chester (Pa.) and Merrimack (Mass.) on Thursday, and Wayne State (Mich.) and Hillsdale (Mich.) on Saturday.
 
Concordia is coming off a strong showing against Minnesota Duluth on Wednesday in which they nearly pulled off a sweep but settled for a split in the doubleheader. The Golden Bears slugged their way past the Bulldogs 8-2 in game one before seeing a late lead slip away in a 5-3 loss in game two.
 
Haley Schanks and Emily Shinn each had big days at the plate as Schanks went 2-4 with a homer, a double, four walks and four runs driven in while Shinn went 4-6 with a walk in the doubleheader. Jamie Fleischhacker also contributed four hits in nine at-bats with a homer, a double and six RBI in the two games.
 
Stephanie Kappes and Linzy Heim each delivered solid starts in the circle as well as Kappes allowed no earned runs in a complete game win in game one and Heim allowed three runs on six hits in 6.1 innings of work in game two.
 
On the season, several Golden Bears have gotten off to a strong start at the plate. Nicole Thompson paces the group with a .478 average with five runs and four RBI to go along with three steals. Kelly McKenzie has had nearly as much success as she has an even .400 average with five runs and a pair of RBI. Teona Zepeda enters the weekend with a .333 average and Fleischhacker sits at .318 as well.
 
Since being inserted in the lineup in the second game of the season, Emily Shinn has done nothing but hit. Shinn has picked up nine hits in 13 at-bats (.692 average) while also drawing three walks to give her an amazing .750 on-base percentage.
 
Concordia remains on the road for the rest of the month before their NSIC home opener on April 3^rd against Bemidji State.