SYLVANIA, Ohio (LourdesAthletics.com) -- The Lourdes University softball team split their Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference doubleheader against Concordia University on Wednesday, April 9. The Gray Wolves fell 5-0 in the first game but bounced back to secure a 5-4 win in the second game at Gray Wolf Field in Sylvania, Ohio. The team's overall record improves to 6-11 and 3-5 in WHAC play.Â
Game One: Concordia 5, Lourdes 0
Lourdes was held to just four hits in the first game, as Concordia's pitcher delivered a complete-game shutout, allowing no runs and only one walk while striking out four.
Concordia took control early in the third inning with a run-scoring double that brought home a runner for a 1-0 lead. The Cardinals then added to their advantage with a three-run fourth inning. Concordia tacked on another run in the seventh with a single to drive in the final run for a 5-0 win.
Lindsey McGann was the standout, going 2-for-3 at the plate, while Maddie Darrah added a 1-for-3 effort. On the mound, Kirsten Smith pitched 3.2 innings, allowing 4 runs on 7 hits, and Karlei Conrad threw 3.1 innings of relief, giving up 1 earned run.
Game Two: Lourdes 5, Concordia 4
In a much closer second game, Lourdes came from behind to secure a 5-4 win behind a solid pitching performance from Mallori Bradley, who earned the complete-game victory. Bradley limited the Cardinals to just one earned run after the third inning and struck out five in the process.
Concordia struck first in the second inning with a two-run homer to take a 2-0 lead. The Cardinals extended their lead in the third on an RBI single that made it 3-0. However, the Gray Wolves responded in the bottom of the third inning. Jessyca Smith reached on an error, allowing Robyn Ryan to score, and Smith later stole home to cut the deficit to 3-2. Olivia Hickman tied the game at 3-3 with a double to score McGann.
Lourdes took its first lead in the fifth inning. McGann scored on a passed ball, and Lauren Schuller's sacrifice fly brought home Maddie Darrah to make it 5-4, which would stand as the final.
For Lourdes, Smith was crucial, going 1-for-4 with an RBI and stealing a base. McGann went 1-for-2 with 2 runs scored. Hickman added a key double and 1 RBI, while Bradley finished with a complete-game effort, allowing 4 runs on 8 hits, with 5 strikeouts.
Up Next:Â
The team returns to action on Friday, April 11, when they host Cornerstone University for a WHAC doubleheader. The first game will begin at 12Â PM, with the second game scheduled for a 2Â PM start. Both games will take place at Gray Wolf Field in Sylvania, Ohio.
