ST. JOSEPH, MO. – A solo homerun from junior
Justine Schattner lifted the Concordia-St. Paul softball team (15-7) to a 4-3 victory over Washburn, as the Bears earn their second split in the Hy-Vee Classic. Earlier in the day, the Golden Bears' comeback efforts fell just short as Missouri Western scored three runs in the fifth that would give them a 5-3 win.
GAME 1: Missouri Western 5, Concordia-St. Paul 3
The Bears opened the day with a 5-3 loss to Missouri Western. CSP gave up two runs in the first inning, got one back in the top of the second and took the lead in the fifth, only to have Missouri Western rally for three runs in the bottom of the fifth to go on to win it.
After giving up two unearned runs in the first inning, the Bears got on the board when sophomore
Aryka Knoche hit a solo shot to right center field to cut the Griffon's lead in half. This was Knoche's second homerun of the year.
Neither team was able to score in the third or the fourth, but the fifth was action-packed. For CSP, freshman
Cam Veenbaas and sophomore
Lily Langevin would open the inning with back-to-back doubles. Veenbaas came around to score on Langevin's hit to left center and Langevin later scored after stealing third and advancing home on an error by the shortstop to give Concordia a 3-2 lead.
This lead was short-lived as the Griffons answered, scoring three runs on four hits to put them up 5-3. The Bears did not have many chances in the sixth and seventh innings, as only one baserunner reached in the last two innings, allowing Missouri Western to come away with the win.
Joining Knoche, Veenbaas, and Langevin with hits in the game were junior
Carlie Hart and senior
Nicole Thompson. With her single in the third inning, Hart's hit streak now reaches 17 games. Thompson, in addition to singling, tallied a walk and two stolen bases.
Knoche pitched all six innings for the Bears, giving up five runs (three earned) on eight hits, while striking out two. She is now 6-4 on the year.
GAME 2: Concordia-St. Paul 4, Washburn 3
In game two, the Bears trailed 3-0 heading into the fifth inning, but CSP battled back, scoring four runs in the fifth and the sixth to win it 4-3 and finish day two of the Hy-Vee Classic with a split.
After giving up three unearned runs in the second inning, the Bears were unable to answer at the plate, as Washburn's pitcher, Kelsee Henry, had a no-hitter going until the bottom of the fifth, when CSP scored three runs on four hits.
It was Hart and Schattner who came up with the clutch hits, combining to drive in all four of CSP's runs. Knoche got the rally started in the fifth inning with a one-out single, which was followed up by singles from senior
Lizzy Swenson and freshman
Hanna Mortenson. Hart then came up with a two-out double to clear the bases and tie the game at three apiece. In the next inning, Schattner hit her second homerun of the year to give the Bears a 4-3 lead. Knoche and the defense shut the door in the top of the seventh to secure the win.
With her double in the fifth, Hart extends her hitting streak to 17 straight games, and currently leads the Bears in batting average (.427), slugging percentage (.598), RBIs (16), runs (20), and stolen bases (13).
Kali Kaestner made the start on the mound for the Bears and would record the win, improving to 6-3 on the year. The sophomore went six innings, giving up three runs (none of which were earned) on six hits, while striking out three. Knoche came in for the final inning, retiring Washburn 1-2-3 to record her first save of the season.
UP NEXT
The Bears have a nine-day break before opening their conference season against #10 Minnesota State on March 27
th. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. at Carlander Field.
