TOPEKA, Kan- The Concordia-St. Paul softball (2-5) suffered two losses in the first day of the Emporia 5-State Classic against Missouri Western and Washburn on Friday afternoon, CSP lost 7-3 in their game against Missouri Western and 5-2 against Washburn in Topeka Kansas.

The loss against Missouri Western was the Golden Bears 11^th straight loss against the Griffons, dating back to 2004. 
 
GAME ONE VS MISSOURI WESTERN STATE
The Golden Bears got off to a great start in their first game of the Emporia 5-State Classic as they struck first in the top of the first inning. With one out Kris McIntyre was hit by a pitch and then advanced to second on a wild pitch by the Griffons pitcher Kaili Hinds, Hannah Mihalik took advantage of the runner in scoring position as she singled down the left field line to drive in Kris McIntyre and she gave the Golden Bears a 1-0 lead.
 
After a scoreless bottom of the first and a scoreless second and third inning, Concordia would strike again in the top of fourth Hannah Carlson led off the inning with a double then Grace Beseman reached on an error and Carlson advanced to third. Next batter Hanna Mortenson reached on a fielder's choice as Beseman was out at second and Carlson scored making it 2-0 Golden Bears.
 
Aryka Knoche was cruising through the first three innings in the circle, she started the fourth inning with a strikeout before walking the next hitter and then Sydni Hawkins reached on a fielder's choice, the next batter for the Griffons flew out to center and Hawkins advanced to second on the play and Emma Hoffart advanced to third on a throwing error by Clara Heislen. Kelly Uthe doubled to left center to score two run and the Griffons tied the game 2-2.
 
The Griffons would tack on five more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning off of Knoche and Kali Kaestner who came in in relief. In the top of the seventh the Golden Bears threatened to strike back, Aryka Knoche reached on an error, Katie Carlson singled to right, Clara Heislen flew out to center, Carlson advanced to second on a passed ball and Emma Adamek, who came in to pinch run for Knoche, reached third base. Kris McIntyre lined out hard to third base, but Hannah Mihalik drove in Adamek on an RBI single to make it a 7-3 lead, but the rally fell short and the Golden Bears fell 7-3 to Missouri Western State. 
 
The Golden Bears had seven hits and seven runs, Hannah Mihalik lead the offense going 2-3 with two RBIs and two stolen bases. Clara Heislen went 1-4 with a double, Kris McIntyre went 1-3 with a stolen base and a run scored, Hannah Carlson went 1-3 with a double and a run scored, Aryka Knoche went 1-3 and Katie Carlson went 1-3 in this game as well. In the circle, Knoche went five innings allowing seven hits and five earned runs, she struck out seven batters and threw 116 pitches. Kali Kaestner threw one inning striking out one batter and allowing one run on two hits.
 
GAME TWO VS WASHBURN
In game two vs Washburn the Golden Bears once again got off to a great start. Samantha Sullivan had an easy first inning as she struck out one batter in that inning. In the bottom of the first Clara Heislen singled to lead off and then stole second base, Hannah Mihalik walked and then Heislen and Mihalik pulled off a double steal putting them on second and third base. Amanda Parsons singled to drive in Mihalik making it 1-0 CSP. Washburn would tack on two in the top of the second and one in the top of the third off of Sullivan to put them up 3-1 over CSP.
 
In the bottom of the fifth Meagan Bliese led off with a single, Clara Heislen singled through the left side advancing Bliese to second base. Hannah Mihalik doubled to left center scoring Bliese and advancing Heislen to second base making it a 3-2 game. But that's all the Golden Bears would score as the Ichabod's would drive in two more in the top of the seventh inning and they would win the ball game 5-2 over CSP.
 
The Golden Bears had 10 hits with two runs, Amanda Parsons led the offense going 2-4 with an RBI. Clara Heislen went 2-4 with two stolen bases and a run scored, Hannah Carlson went 2-4, Hannah Mihalik was 1-3 with an RBI and a double along with a walk and a stolen base, Grace Beseman, Emma Lero and Megan Bliese all had one hit as well. Samantha Sullivan went 2.2 innings allowing three runs, one earned on six hits with two strikeouts. Bryanna Olson pitched in relief going 4.1 innings striking out four batters, allowing four hits and two runs.
 
The Golden Bears will be back in action tomorrow against Northwest Missouri State (3-8) at 9 A.M. in Emporia Kansas. They will then take on Missouri Southern (5-3) at 1 P.M. in Emporia. Live stats will be available, and the links can be found on the team's schedule page.