WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - The Golden Bear softball team (8-5) continued their hot streak in the second day of the Spring Games tournament in Florida as they defeated Saginaw Valley State 3-1 to win their fifth win in a row.
Kali Kaestner dominated in the first game, allowing only one run over seven innings and
Meagan Bliese provided the offense with two RBIs. In the second game, pitching was still the strength of the day for the Golden Bears as
Samantha Sullivan dazzled the Hornets lineup by throwing a complete game shutout and the Golden Bears won 3-0 for their sixth win in a row.
GAME 1: CSP 3, SAGINAW VALLEY STATE 1
The Golden Bears struck early and fast in the first game, in the second inning
Amanda Parsons led off with a single followed by a another single up the middle by
Grace Beseman and Parsons advanced to third on an error by the centerfielder. After
Aryka Knoche grounded out to first and
Hanna Mortenson lined out to the first baseman it looked like the Cardinals were going to get out of the jam, but
Meagan Bliese came thru with a big two run single and the Golden Bears took a 2-0 lead.
The Cardinals made things interesting late when in the top of the sixth inning they scored one run on one hit but
Kali Kaestner stranded two runners allowing only one run to keep the score at 2-1. Concordia would add an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning, it started with
Hanna Mortenson reached on an error by the right fielder and a batter later, freshman
Clara Heislen doubled to left center to bring in a run to make it a 3-1 game. That would be all that
Kali Kaestner would need as she allowed only one hit in the top of the seventh and stranded two batters to seal the game for the Golden Bears.
Clara Heislen was 2-4 with an RBI and a double,
Kris McIntyre was 1-3 with a stolen base, Hanna Carlson was 1-2,
Amanda Parsons went 1-3,
Grace Beseman was 1-2 with a stolen base and
Meagan Bliese was 1-3 with two RBIs.
Kali Kaestner won her third game of the season, going seven innings, allowing only one run on four hits, and striking out five batters.
GAME 2: CSP 3, CEDARVILLE 0
The Golden Bears and Hornets were held scoreless through the first three innings of this game as the strength of pitching for both teams were on display. In the top of the fourth inning
Kris McIntyre led off with a bunt single and then
Hannah Mihalik laid down a sac bunt to move McIntyre to second base.
Hannah Carlson followed that up with a single through the left side, advancing McIntyre to third base and then
Amanda Parsons hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring McIntyre and giving the Golden Bears a 1-0 lead.
The Golden Bears would tack on a few more in the top of the fifth inning when
Aryka Knoche singled to left field followed by a
Meagan Bliese single to the pitcher and the pinch runner,
Emma Adamek, advanced to second.
Clara Heislen followed that up with a two-run double to left field, giving the Golden Bears a 3-0 lead over the Hornets.
That would be all that
Samantha Sullivan would need as the senior pitcher threw a complete game shutout, striking out five batters and allowing only five hits and walking only one batter to earn her first win of the season.
Clara Heislen went 1-4 with two RBIs and a double,
Kris McIntyre went 1-3 with a run scored,
Hannah Carlson went 2-3,
Aryka Knoche went 1-3 and
Meagan Bliese went 1-2 with a stolen base and a run scored.
The Golden Bears will be back in action for their third day of the Spring Games tomorrow. Concordia will move and play their games at the Auburndale Complex Field in Jan Phyl Village, Florida. The Golden Bears will take on #12 Saint Anselm at 9:15 a.m. and Grand Valley State at 11:30 a.m. The live stat links can be found on the team schedule page.
