TUCSON, Ariz. – The Concordia University softball team enjoyed a big day on Monday. The Bulldogs took down two teams from the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference. In the day’s first game, Concordia got past Judson University (Ill.), 6-5, before knocking off Olivet Nazarene University (Ill.), 12-7. Olivet received votes in the most recent national rankings.
In the process of racking up two triumphs, fourth-year head coach Todd LaVelle collected his 100th career win as head coach at Concordia. His squad is now 9-4 overall this season and 3-1 during its current Tucson road trip.
“It was a total team effort from pitching to bench play,” LaVelle said. “It took everyone to gain two quality wins. I’m really proud of the girls from past teams that have reached out to congratulate me. They’re as big a part of this 100th win as the girls that won today. I’m just happy we won against two quality opponents.”
In the win over Judson, Concordia found itself down 5-2 before fighting back. Said LaVelle, “We just kept battling, battling and we took the lead and held onto the victory. We felt like that was a really big win. Last year we lost a lot of those one-run games so it was really exciting to see that.”
An Arizona native, freshman Delaney Nance started in the circle in game 2. In back of Nance, Michaela Woodward delivered a two-run homer that put the Bulldogs in front in the top of the first. The Tigers led 6-3 after three innings, but Concordia eventually took control with a five-run seventh inning. That frame included a two-run double by Ronee Watson and an RBI single by Autumn Owens.
“We’re just proud of the girls for their effort,” LaVelle said. “They just believe in their teammates and what they can do. We beat two quality opponents. We’ve always felt like our lineup is strong one through nine. Today our bottom half came through time and time again. They did a great job turning the lineup over.”
Judson (9-3) and Olivet Nazarene (3-2) were a combined 11-3 entering their games against Concordia. Olivet Nazarene owns a win over No. 12 Campbellsville University (Ky.). Meanwhile, Judson had been a perfect 6-0 on its Tucson trip before running into the Bulldogs.
Concordia has Tuesday (March 7) off before playing three games on Wednesday (see below) in Tucson.
Wednesday, March 8 schedule
9 a.m. MT / 12 p.m. CT vs. William Penn University (Iowa)
11 a.m. MT / 12 p.m. CT vs. Shepherd University (Calif.)
3:30 p.m. MT / 4:30 p.m. CT vs. Dakota State University (S.D.)