The Charger softball returned to action Friday, hosting conference opponent Concordia. The Cliff fell 5-1 in game one, and 7-2 in game two.
"Today was a tough day. We couldn't find holes on offense and we struggled to keep our energy up after we got behind," said head coach Erin Bly. "We'll have to reflect and make some changes to have better success tomorrow."
Game 1 – L, 5-1
Concordia struck first in the top of the second after Grace Boganowski hit an RBI triple to take a 1-0 lead.
CUNE followed up in the top of the third with a Julia Van Wey RBI single to drive in Caitlyn McGarvie to extend their lead 2-0. The Bulldogs capped the scoring in the inning after Van Wey scored on an error. Kylee Lukes homered in the bottom of the third to cut the lead to 3-1.
The Charger offense struggled in the final four innings, as Lukes was the lone base runner during that stretch after being hit by a pitch.
Concordia added another run in the sixth after Bognawski drove in Taylor Glause, followed by a Van Wey RBI single in the top of the seventh to take a 5-1 lead. In the bottom of the seventh, the Chargers fell in order and dropped game one 5-1.
Lukes led the Charger offense going 2-for-2 at the plate with a RBI. Kennedy Andersen and Karina Cupples both tallied a hit in the contest.
Game 2 – L 7-2
Kayla Guerrero started off strong in game two for the Chargers in the pitcher's circle, throwing three shutout innings.
In the top of the fourth, the Bulldogs scored four runs, capped by a two RBI double by Boganowski to take a 4-0 lead.
In the bottom of the fifth, Josie Chronic drew a walk with two outs. She advanced to second off a wild pitch, and swiped third during the next at-bat. Aubrey Chichurka popped out during her plate appearance, and the Bulldogs left Chronic stranded in scoring position.
Concordia's Kylie Shottenkirk scored on a wild pitch in the top of the sixth to extend the lead to 5-0 heading into the final inning of play.
CUNE's Zoie Isom and Glause hit RBI singles in the top of the seventh to push their lead to 7-0. The Cliff looked to rally back after Sydney Lierman hit a two RBI double to cut the lead 7-2. With runners on third and second and two outs, Jessica James drew a walk to load up the bases. Brooke Masi grounded out the next at-bat, and the Charger rally fell short as they fell 7-2 in game two.
Lierman went 4-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs in the contest. Karina Cupples, Alexis Westercamp, Chronic, James, and Masi all tallied a hit a piece. Morgan Jones pitched three innings for the Chargers, giving up only one earned run.
The Chargers fall to 17-16 overall (7-7 GPAC) and return to Bishop Muller Complex to take on Midland on Senior Day. BC will honor their eight seniors before game one. First pitch for game one is designated for 1pm with game two to follow.
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