TUCSON, Ariz. – Two 19-run outbursts bookended a 4-3 loss as the Concordia University softball team continued its spring break week at the Tucson Invitational on Thursday (March 8). The Bulldogs began the day with a 19-13 slugfest victory over Roosevelt University (Ill.) prior to a 4-3 loss to Madonna University (Mich.). In an eight-inning evening affair, Concordia put up a seven-run eighth to run away with a 19-12 triumph over Saint Xavier University (Ill.). The Bulldogs were 2-1 on the day.
Fifth-year head coach Todd LaVelle’s squad stands at 7-7 overall (5-3 on the trip).
“It’s not what you hope for,” LaVelle said of the wealth of recent high run-scoring battles. “The nice thing is that our players are reacting positively. If there’s an error or the other teams scores, we just do what needs to be done. We talked a lot today about having the grit. We were at the ballpark at 7 o’clock this morning until about eight tonight. Those girls could have made excuses about being tired, but they just kept battling. I’m proud that we’ve come down here and are competing with good teams.”
In the final game of the day, the Bulldogs piled up 27 hits. Hhana Haro went 5-for-6 with four RBIs, Mackinsey Schmidt went 4-for-5 with three doubles and four RBIs and Janey Pasold went 4-for-5. After the Cougars tied it in the bottom of the seventh with a grand slam, Concordia responded with a massive game-winning push.
Before going down with an injury, Elanna Osthoff continued her scalding hot streak with a 4-for-6 performance in the win over Roosevelt. She homered and drove in six runs. Haro and Tori Homolka also blasted a homer in the win. Haro collected three hits and four other Bulldogs notched two hits apiece as part of a 19-hit attack.
Brittany Woolridge put together the best pitching performance of the day. She allowed only one earned run over 5.2 innings in a tight loss to Madonna. She scattered six hits and four walks and struck out three.
Time is running out in regards to Concordia’s stay at the Tucson Invitational. The Bulldogs will wrap up action in Arizona on Friday by playing Olivet Nazarene University (Ill.) at 9 a.m. MT / 10 a.m. CT and then Presentation College at 11 a.m. MT / 12 p.m. CT. Friday’s action will conclude a 10-game swing in Tucson.