The Charger softball team split their home opener against the Concordia Bulldogs Saturday afternoon, falling 4-3 in game one before winning game two 8-7
 
Game one – L, 4-3
 
The Bulldogs entered the top of the seventh trailing 3-2 before delivering the decisive blow. A two-run double flipped the score and gave Concordia the lead for good.

Concordia struck first in the contest, using a RBI single in the top of the second to take a 1-0 advantage.

The Chargers answered in the bottom of the fourth when Aubrey White delivered a RBI single to center field, knotting the game at 1-1.

The Bulldogs regained the lead in the fifth inning with a solo home a run to make it 2-1. Briar Cliff quickly responded in the bottom half of the inning, reclaiming a 3-2 edge. Sydney Mennenga drove in a run with a single to right field, and  Kenadee Loew followed with a sacrifice fly to bring home another.

The Chargers carried that lead into the final inning before Concordia's late surge.

White went the distance in the circle for Briar Cliff, tossing seven innings while allowing four runs, three earned, on eight hits with three strikeouts and two walks.

At the plate, Shelby Blankenship, Lauren Mattox, Kaydence Kinder, Leah Montes, White,  Brooke Oppliger, and Mennenga each recorded a hit for the Chargers. White, Loew, and Mennenga each drove in a run. Briar Cliff also showcased its aggressiveness on the bases, swiping five stolen bases in the game.
 
Game two – W, 8-6
 
The Chargers wasted no time getting on the board, plating three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Mattox delivered a two-run double to spark the offense, while Mennenga followed with an RBI single to give Briar Cliff an early 3-0 lead.

Concordia responded quickly in the top of the second, capitalizing on a Charger error that brought in two runs before Ganstorm added an RBI double to give the Bulldogs a 4-3 advantage.

The back-and-forth battle continued into the fifth inning when Briar Cliff reclaimed the lead. Oppliger launched a home run to left field, Blankenship added an RBI single, and Mattox contributed a sacrifice fly as the Chargers moved back in front, 6-4.

Concordia answered again in the sixth inning, tying the game at 6-6 on an RBI single.

The Cliff had the final say in the bottom half of the inning. Montes broke the tie with an RBI single, and Blankenship followed with a triple to extend the lead to 8-6.

Mattox earned the win in the circle, going the distance while allowing six runs, just one earned, on 10 hits with three strikeouts and three walks.

At the plate, Mattox led the Chargers with three RBIs, while Blankenship paced the offense with two hits in four at-bats.
 
The Chargers move to 11-17 (1-3 GPAC) and will travel to Yankton, South Dakota next Friday to take on the Mount Marty Lancers. Game one is slated for 3 p.m. with game two to follow shortly after.