ST. PAUL, Minn. – After 14 games on the road, the Golden Bear softball team (6-8, 0-0 NSIC) will open up NSIC play with their first pair of home games. The Golden Bears home opener for Tuesday, March 30^th against Minnesota State, was postponed due the NSIC COVID-19 protocols. Concordia will have their home opener over the weekend, against UMary (N.D.) (1-14) on Friday at 12 p.m. and Minot State (N.D.) (9-7) on Saturday at 12 p.m. 
 
LAST TIME OUT
CSP participated in the Hy-Vee classic down in Missouri. Due to weather, the tournament was shifted to three host sites. Concordia first played Missouri Southern in St. Joseph, Missouri. They defeated the Griffons 3-0 to open the tournament. The Golden Bears then traveled to Warrensburg, Missouri to finish out the remaining four games of the Hy-Vee Classic. CSP played Central Missouri and Northeastern State (Okla.) each twice on Saturday and then again on Sunday. The Jennies defeated CSP 7-6 on Saturday and the Golden Bears rebounded defeating the RiverHawks 4-2 later Saturday night. The Jennies turned around and beat Concordia 7-5 again on Sunday and CSP fell to the RiverHawks 3-2 in the Hy-Vee Classic finale on Sunday night.
 
Friday, March 19th
Concordia-St. Paul 3, Missouri Western 0
The Golden Bears got off to a hot start in the first inning. Clara Heislen walked to lead off the inning and then stole second base. After Kris McIntyre flew out to right field, Grace Beseman doubled to center field which drove in Heislen to give Concordia a 1-0 lead. Aryka Knoche stepped to the plate with Beseman on second and two down in the first. Knoche singled through the left side, scoring Beseman and giving CSP a 2-0 lead over the Griffons. After a one-two-three second inning, the Golden Bears tacked on another run in the top of the third inning. Kris McIntyre walked with one out in the inning, then Grace Beseman reached on a fielder's choice when McIntyre was out at second on a 5-4. Amanda Parsons would reach on an error by the shortstop which sent Beseman to second base. With runners on first and second, Aryka Knoche came through again with an RBI single up the middle, scoring Beseman and making it 3-0 Golden Bears. Missouri Western made a push in the bottom of the sixth inning. Bryanna Olson got the first batter out on a fly ball to right field. Sydni Hawkins singled to short and Brea Blanton singled to left field, sending Hawkins to second base, setting up a great opportunity for the Griffons with runners on first and second with only one out. Bryanna Olson made a perfect pitch to Emma Hoffart as she grounded into an inning ending double play, preserving CSP's 3-0 lead heading into the seventh inning. After a quick top of the seventh inning for CSP, Bryanna Olson looked to set down the Griffons in the bottom of the seventh. After a one out single, Olson got a fly out and a groundout back to herself as she poetically put away the Griffon's herself and secured her complete game shutout victory.
 
Saturday, March 20^th
GAME ONE: Concordia-St. Paul 6, Central Missouri 7
For the second game in a row, the Golden Bears struck early in the top of the first inning. Kris McIntyre poked a one out single to center field, Grace Beseman stepped up and hit a two-run home run to give CSP an early 2-0 lead. Amanda Parsons followed that up with a solo shot of her own to left field to make 3-0 Concordia over the Jennies. After a quick bottom of the first and top of the second, The Jennies put up a big bottom of the second inning. Mackenzie Cooper led off the inning with a home run to dead center and then Ashlyn Cook followed that up with a single to short. Sydney Wellshear then hit a two-run home run to left field to tie the game 3-3. After a single and a double, Abbey Fischer tripled, scoring two more runs and giving Central Missouri a 5-3 lead. CSP would get one back in the top of the third inning. Kris McIntyre singled to right field and then stole second base. Grace Beseman reached on a fielder's choice and McIntyre was out trying to advance to third. Beseman stole second and Amanda Parsons walked to make it first and second with one out. After a strikeout, Taylor Griffin singled to left field, scoring Beseman and making it a 5-4 game. The Golden Bears would tie the game in the top of the fourth inning with a two out rally. After a quick strikeout and pop out to start the inning, Clara Heislen punched a single to left field, she would then advance to second on a wild pitch. Kris McIntyre singled to short and Heislen advanced to third to make it first and third with two outs. McIntyre would steal second and advanced to third on a throwing error by the catcher, which allowed Heislen to score and tie the game 5-5. The Jennies would pull ahead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Mackenzie Cooper once again led off with a home run and Ashlyn Cook followed with a double. Sydney Wellshear hit another double to score Cook and give the Jennies a 7-5 lead. After a quick sixth inning the Golden Bears needed a rally to get back into the game. After a quick first out, Grace Beseman gave CSP some hope when she sent a shot over the left field wall to make it a 7-6 ball game. The rally was short lived as Sadie Park set down the next two batters to secure the 7-6 Jennies win.
 
GAME TWO: Concordia-St. Paul 4, Northeastern State 2
It was a pitching duel for the first four innings of the game as Kali Kaestner and Jenna Chassie went toe to toe throughout the early part of the game. The Golden Bears were the first ones to get on the board in the top fifth inning. Clara Heislen punched a one out single to right field and Kris McIntyre poked a two-run home run down the right field line to give CSP a 2-0 lead in the top of the fifth. The RiverHawks answered back in the bottom of the fifth inning, Alyssia Crick led off with a single through the right side, Chloe Bohuslavicky hit a single to center field and Crick advanced to second. After a groundout which advanced the runners, Rhomie Bradshaw laid down an RBI bunt single to score a run and make it a 2-1 game. The Golden Bears responded in the top of the sixth inning when Jacey Defries pinch hit for Taylor Griffin and she sent a ball over the wall down the left field line to make a 3-1 game. After Cam Veenbaas singled, Hannah Mihalik was hit by a pitch, and Clara Heislen singled to load the bases, Kris McIntyre reached on a fielder's choice which allowed Veenbaas to score and make it 4-1 Golden Bears. The RiverHawks put one more run on the board as they tried to stage a comeback in the bottom of the seventh inning but Kali Kaestner put out the fire as she secured the 4-2 Golden Bear win. 
 
Sunday, March 21^st.
GAME ONE: Concordia-St. Paul 5, Central Missouri 7
The Golden Bears were set down in the top of the first inning and the Jennies jumped on opportunities with runners in scoring position in the bottom of the inning. Makenzie McAtee hit a two out double off of Kali Kaestner to dead center to set up Makenzie Cooper who singled to right field, scoring McAtee and Cooper advanced to second on the throw home. Peyton Corrigan pinch ran for Cooper at second and Ashlyn Cook doubled to center field, scoring Corrigan and making it 2-0 Central Missouri. The Jennies would tack on a few more in the bottom of the second. After a single and a double, Abbey Fischer singled to right field which drove in a run and she was able to advance to second on the throw to make it runners on second and third with one out. A walk would load the bases and Makenzie McAtee reached on a fielder's choice which scored a run to make it 4-0 Jennies. The Golden Bears would get onto the board in top of the third. Meagan Bliese led off the inning with a double to center field, Clara Heislen was hit by a pitch, Jacey Defries came up clutch with a big three-run home run to left field to make it a 4-3 ball game. The Jennies scored two more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning off of Aryka Knoche to give them a 6-3 lead over CSP. The Jennies would produce another run in the bottom of the fifth inning when Makenzie Cooper homered to center field to make it 7-3. Concordia would make it interesting when Aryka Knoche hit a solo home run to center field in the top of the 6^th inning to make it a 7-4 game. After two quick outs in the top of the seventh Concordia looked to cook up a two out rally. There was hope when Payton Hanson pinch hit for Clara Heislen and hit a solo shot to left field to make it a 7-5 game. CSP could not build off of the two out homer and the Jennies took the game, 7-5. 
 
GAME TWO: Concordia-St. Paul 2, Northeastern State 3 
Pitching dominated in the first two and a half innings in game two with the RiverHawks. The Golden Bears were able to get on the board first in the bottom of the third inning. Meagan Bliese walked to lead off the inning, Clara Heislen grounded out to second base, which allowed Bliese to advance to second. Grace Besemanwould reach first on an error by the first baseman, which allowed Bliese to run all the way home and give CSP a 1-0 lead. The RiverHawks would answer back in the top of the fifth inning. Bryanna Olson was cruising when she ran into Carly Kelley who homered to left field to tie the game 1-1. The RiverHawks threatened for even more runs in the fifth inning when they loaded the bases with two outs. Olson was able to get Cameron Conard swinging to get out of the jam. Concordia would clap back in the bottom of the fifth inning as Taylor Griffin led off the inning with a double to right center. Ani Bell pinch hit for Meagan Bliese and she singled through the right side, advancing Griffin to third base. Clara Heislen hit a high fly ball to center field, allowing Griffin to tag up and score, giving CSP a 2-1 lead over the RiverHawks. Northeastern State had an answer for the Golden Bears in the top of the sixth. Chloe Bohuslavicky led off with a double to center field and she was lifted for a pinch runner in Hope Parker. Addy Wolfe then singled to left field, scoring Parker and tying the game 2-2.  Kali Kaestner relieved Olson as Lauren Minor pinch ran for Wolfe at first. Kaestner was able to get a ground out before Carly Kelley doubled to right field, scoring Minor and giving the RiverHawks a 3-2 lead in the sixth. After a quick top of the seventh inning, CSP once again was looking for a late rally. After a two out single by Clara Heislen, CSP was looking for Jacey Defries to come up clutch again. Gail Young was able to get Defries to ground out to short and cement the 3-2 RiverHawks win.  
 
UMARY SERIES HISTORY
The Golden Bears and the Marauders are meeting for the 34th time in their series history, as CSP currently holds a 18-15 record in those contests. Concordia and UMary first played each other back in 2002. It was back and forth for many years until UMary went on a nine-game winning streak from 2014-2017. Previously CSP has dominated in the matchup, winning five straight games since 2017.
 
LAST MEETING WITH UMARY
In their last meeting up in Bismarck back in 2019, The Golden Bears got off to a fast start, scoring four runs in the top of the first inning. Hart led off the game with a single and then stole second. Kris McIntyre walked and Justine Schattner reached on a Marauder error to load the bases. Hart took advantage of a passed ball to score and Hanna Mortenson loaded the bases once again with a walk. Parsons then drove in all of the runners on base, hitting a double to right center to give CSP an early 4-0 lead.
 
The Marauders responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning, using a pair of singles and a fielder's choice to get a run across.
 
Concordia kept up the offensive pressure in the second inning, as Veenbaas and Hart singled and McIntyre walked to load the bases. Veenbaas and Hart would both score on a Schattner grounder, capitalizing on another UMary error, as they overthrew it when trying to throw out Veenbaas at home.  
 
UMary kept pace, scoring three runs in the bottom of the second to make it 6-4, still in favor of the Golden Bears. The Marauders would tie the game up at six runs apiece in the third inning, when Kylie Alto hit a two-run home run.
 
The Bears took back the lead in the fourth with Veenbaas' double and then exploded for six runs in the sixth, giving them enough to end the game in six innings. The sixth inning featured seven CSP hits, including an RBI single from Veenbaas, an RBI triple from Hart, a two-run home run from Schattner, and a solo shot from Amanda Parsons.
 
In game two The Golden Bears completed the sweep with a 7-4 win, using eight hits and a big fifth inning to earn the victory. Junior Samantha Sullivan pitched her sixth complete game of the year, improving her season record to 8-4 with the win.
 
ABOUT THE MARAUDERS
UMary is 1-14 on the season, with a 0-2 record in the NSIC. The Marauders were swept by Minot State in their conference opener on Monday. They will travel to Mankato on Saturday to play the Mavericks after playing CSP on Friday. 
 
As a team, the Marauders are hitting for a .239 average and have hit three home runs on the season. They have stolen five bases and are fielding for a .947 average. Mariah Sanchez is leading the team with a .380 batting average, scoring four runs and carrying a .440 slugging and a .426 on-base percentage. 

Freshman Alissa Alvarado is leading the team with a 1-2 record, a 5.34 ERA in 32 innings of work, striking out 20 batters and pitching three complete games.   
 
MINOT STATE SERIES HISTORY
Concordia holds a 3-12 all-time record against the Minot Beavers. CPS played their first ever game against Minot State in 2014, winning the game 9-5 at home. After they split their next two meetings, the Beavers went on a nine-game winning streak from 2015-2018. CSP's last victory over Minot State came on May 3^rd, 2018 in Sioux Falls, S.D. when the Golden Bears won 14-6. 
 
LAST MEETING WITH MINOT STATE
Both offenses were very active in game one, as the Beavers outhit Concordia 13-10 to come away with a 6-5 win. The game featured five lead changes throughout the seven innings, but Minot State scored a run in both the fifth and sixth innings to give them the win.
 
Game two turned out to have just as much offense as game one, as Minot State held a slight 13-12 edge in hits but used two big innings to secure the sweep. Concordia, recording 10+ hits for the fourth straight game, missed out on some opportunities offensively, stranding 10 runners on base throughout the contest. Beaver reliever Jordyn Staples was able to retire the last three CSP batters in order to secure the 9-4 win.
 
ABOUT THE BEAVERS
Minot is currently 9-7 on the season, with a 2-0 record in NSIC play. The Beavers swept UMary in their conference opener on Monday. They will take on Minnesota State in Mankato on Friday before heading to St. Paul to play the Golden Bears on Saturday afternoon. 
 
As a team, the Beavers are hitting for a .326 average and have hit four home runs on the season. They have stolen 61 bases, which leads the NSIC and they are fielding for a .964 average. Minot State has three players who are hitting .300 or better in their everyday lineup. They are led by sophomore Jamie Odlum, she is leading the team and the NSIC with a .535 batting average, with 16 runs scored, seven doubled and is holding a .744 slugging and a .615 on-base percentage while leading the team with seven stolen bases. 
 
Junior Trinity Valentine is leading Minot's pitching staff with a 4-3 record and a 2.92 ERA while pitching three complete games. She has struck out 35 batters in 37 innings of work and is holding opponents to a .268 batting average. 
 
GOLDEN BEAR TEAM LEADERS 
Clara Heislen continues to lead the Golden Bears offense this season. She is leading the team with a .400 average, 11 runs scored, 18 hits, tied for the team lead with four home runs, and leads the team with 10 RBI's. She also leads the squad with a .689 slugging and a .440 on-base percentage and is tied for the team lead with five stolen bases and carries a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage. 
 
Aryka Knoche has found her groove at the plate, she is hitting .316 with two home runs and five RBI's while slugging .474 with on-base percentage of .316. Grace Beseman is hitting .295 with 13 hits, 10 runs scored, two doubles, and is tied with Heislen with four home runs, she has driven in nine RBI's for a .614 slugging and a .326 on-base percentage and is tied for the team lead with five stolen bases. Kris McIntyre is hitting .286 with 10 hits and nine runs scored. She has one home run and six driven in for a .400 slugging and a .366 on-base percentage with two stolen bases. 
 
In the circle sophomore Bryanna Olson is leading the team with a 2.60 ERA, she is tied for the team lead with three wins and is second on the team with 32.1 innings pitched and is leading the team with 30 strikeouts and holding opponents to a .260 batting average. Kali Kaestner is pitching to a 3.12 ERA, is tied with Olson with three wins, and leads the team with 33.2 innings pitched and is second on the team with 26 strikeouts. She asloleads the staff with three complete games. 
 
Both live stream and live stats will be available for the double headers this weekend. You can find the links to each on the Golden Bear softball schedule page.