MANKATO, Minn. - The Concordia-St. Paul softball team (0-2) fell in the opening doubleheader to Minnesota State (2-0), 7-3, and Minnesota Duluth (4-2), 8-3, on Friday. Alexis Monty led the Golden Bears on the day with three hits and two RBIs.
Sydney Pelzer had the lone extra-base hit for the Golden Bears with a 2RBI double against Minnesota State. Freshman Abi Carter debuted on the mound in relief recording a team-high five strikeouts in 4.1 innings pitched. Emmy Bowne pitched five innings in the first game with a 2.80 ERA and two strikeouts.
The Golden Bears are back in action on Saturday at 10 a.m. vs. Minnesota Duluth and against Minnesota State at 12:30 p.m. Both games will be streamed on the NSIC Network.
CSP vs Minnesota State
The Mavericks scored on an opening-inning error by the Golden Bears to take an early 1-0 lead. Freshman Katie Klotz responded in the second inning with a single in her first career at-bat.
After Rachel Novak was hit by a pitch, Novak and Klotz stole second and third. Freshman Ava Blake brought in a run on a fielder's choice, tying the game at 1-1. The Golden Bears were able to load the bases later in the inning, but could not capitalize.
The game remained tied until the Mavericks took a two-run lead in the bottom of the fourth. In the top of the fifth, Lily Burke walked and Monty reached on a fielder's choice error to get two runners on base. Pelzer hit a two-out double to bring both runners home and tie the game at 3-3.
Minnesota State scored two runs each in the final two innings to pick up the 7-3 victory. The Mavericks used four hits, a walk and an error to score those runs. CSP recorded two hits in the final two innings.
Monty finished the game with two hits and scored a run. Klotz, Pelzer and Bryleigh Dana each recorded a hit. Monty, Knobluauch, Klotz and Novak each stole a base.
Bowne pitched five innings giving up two earned runs, four hits and six walks. She struck out two batters. Carter pitched the final in ning giving up three hits and two earned runs. She also picked a strikeout.
Minnesota State was led by Cheyenne Behrends with two hits and an RBI. Maddie Helin scored three runs with a hit and two walks. Gianna Lara smacked a double.
The Golden Bears left seven runners on base compared to eight for the Mavericks. CSP had three errors compared to one for Minnesota State. The Mavericks outhit CSP 7-5.
CSP vs Minnesota Duluth
Concordia got an early 3-0 lead in the second inning. Novak walked, Carter got a single and Blake walked to load the bases. Ashlyn Peterson was hit by a pitch to bring in the first run. After that, Monty hit a 2RBI for the early lead.
The lead came crashing down an inning later. Minnesota Duluth used four walks, a single, double and triple to reclaim the lead at 6-3 in the top of the third inning. Serena Timmer's 2RBI ground-rule double into right field was the hit that took the lead for the Bulldogs.
CSP only recorded one hit the rest of the game, a single by freshman Emily Knoblauch in the seventh inning. The Golden Bears gave up two runs in the top of the fourth, but did not give up any the rest of the game.
Carter once again entered in relief allowing only one hit and not giving up any runs. She struck out four batters while walking two. Tatum Dunlavy got the start pitching 3.2 innings. Dunlavy allowed four hits and had a strikeout.
The Bulldogs were led by Morgan McMillan with two hits and an RBI. Sierra Thomas and Nicole Schmitt each scored two runs. Allison Luoma pitched all seven innings striking out five batters.
Minnesota Duluth outhit CSP 5-3. Each team had an error. Minnesota Duluth left seven runners on base while Concordia left three runners on base. The Golden Bears walked 11 batters compared to only three for the Bulldogs.
