EMPORIA, Kan- The Concordia-St. Paul softball (4-5) went 2-2 in the Emporia 5-State Classic as they earned a Saturday sweep today with victories over Northwest Missouri State and Missouri Southern. The Golden Bears received some great pitching to help boost them to two wins on the day. Concordia is now 2-1 against Northwest Missouri State this season as they defeated the Bearcats 6-2 this morning as ace Kali Kaestner earned her first victory of the season. In game two CSP took down the Missouri Western Lions 4-0, this was the first time that the Golden Bears have defeated Missouri Southern as they were previously 0-3. Bryanna Olson earned her third victory of the season as the freshman pitcher leads the team in victories.
 
GAME ONE: CONCORDIA-ST. PAUL 6, NORTHWEST MISSOURI STATE 2
Pitching was on showcase in the first few innings for both teams, the Golden Bears struck first scoring two innings in the top of the third, Clara Heislen led off with a double to center field, Kris McIntyre followed up with a single scoring Heislen but McIntyre was thrown out at second trying to advance. After a pop out by Hannah Mihalik, Hannah Carlson homered for her first of the season to put CSP up 2-0.
 
In the top of the fifth inning Clara Heislen led off with a single and then Hannah Mihalik reached second on a throwing error by the Bearcats third baseman which would move Heislen to third base. Hannah Carlson doubled down the third baseline scoring Mihalik and Heislen and putting the Golden Bears up 5-0. 
 
The Bearcats tacked on a run in the bottom of the sixth inning to get on the board. The Bears responded in the top seventh when Hannah Mihalik walked to start the inning and then stole second base, then with two outs Grace Beseman doubled to right center, scoring Mihalik and giving CSP a 6-1 lead.
 
Kali Kaestner was dominant on the mound this morning as she went 6.1 innings, allowing only two runs on nine hits and striking out six to earn her first victory of the season. Aryka Knoche came into the game in the seventh inning in relief for Kaestner and faced two batters and striking out one earning her first save of the season as the Golden Bears would win the game 6-2. 
 
Senior shortstop Hannah Carlson led the offense in game one going 2-3, hitting a double and a HR with three RBIs and scoring two runs. Clara Heislen went 2-4, scoring two runs and hitting a double along with a stolen base, Kris McIntyre was 2-4 with an RBI, Grace Beseman went 2-4 with a double, an RBI and a stolen base and Emma Lero went 1-3 for the Golden Bears this morning.
 
GAME TWO: CONCORDIA-ST. PAUL 4, Missouri Southern 0
Once again pitching dominated for the Golden Bears this game as Bryanna Olson and Aryka Knoche allowed only five hits through seven innings. The Golden Bears scored two in the top of the second, Amanda Parsons singled through the right side with one out, Grace Beseman followed by reaching on an error by the Lions pitcher and Parsons advanced to second base. Aryka Knoche singled up the middle and an error on the Lion's center fielder scored both Parsons and Beseman, putting CSP up 2-0. 
 
Concordia would get one more in the top of the third inning when Kris McIntyre doubled with one out and then with two outs Hannah Carlson reached on an error by the Lions third baseman which caused McIntyre to advance to third. Amanda Parsons grounded to short but an error by the Lions shortstop scored McIntyre making it 3-0 Golden Bears.
 
The Golden Bears would put the nail in the coffin in the top of the seventh inning as Hanna Mortenson homered to center field, giving CSP a 4-0 lead and Aryka Knoche recorded the final three outs to earn her second save of the day, sealing the victory for the Golden Bears. 
 
Bryanna Olson pitched 4.1 innings striking out three batters and only giving up four hits. Aryka Knoche pitched 2.2 of relief, striking out two and only surrendering one hit. Aryka Knoche also was a force at the plate as she went 2-3 with a double and an RBI. Kris McIntyre was 1-3 with a double and a run scored, Amanda Parson's was 1-3 with a run scored, Hanna Mortenson was 1-2 with a homerun. 
 
Concordia will head to Florida next weekend for the Spring Games in Winter Haven and Jan Phyl Village, they will play 10 opponents throughout the week.