Concordia Irvine Athletics

Concordia opens up 2017 swinging

Feb 04 | 10:07 AM

Emily Duran

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

The Concordia Softball Team opened up 2016 with back to back wins Friday at the Desert Stinger Tournament in Las Vegas, NV. The Eagles took down Northwest Nazarene University 10-1 and followed up with a 5-1 victory over Central Washington.

Game 1:

Although Norwest Nazarene was the first team to put a run up, the Eagles did not let the first inning affect the outcome.

In the second, Kailey Palazzolo led things off with a single down the left field line. After advancing to second on a pass ball, Lauren Rodriguez knocked in Palazzolo with an RBI double. Rodriguez then reached home on a wild pitch to reclaim a 2-1 lead.

The game changer came in the third inning.

Freshmen Sarah Kretschmar opened up with a homer to right field. McKinsey Thorpe stepped up next and drew a walk.

Ryann Ferguson advanced Thorpe to third on a pop up, and Amy Eilefson singled to center to bring her home. Palazzolo singled once again to get to first and Michelle Lieng's double gave the Eagles a four run lead.  Rodriguez ripped her second double of the game for two more RBI. Two more runs to close out the inning gave Concordia a commanding 9-1 advantage.

Concordia scored one more run in the top of the fifth to close out the game with a 10-1 victory. In the season opener, they posted 10 hits with eight RBI and three doubles.

Grayson Harvey was the winning pitcher. The junior threw four innings and allowed two hits with five strikeouts.

Game 2:

Once again, the opposing team was the first to strike. Central Washington posted one run in the first, but the Eagles displayed their poise and resilience.

In the top of the fourth, Palazzolo was hit by a pitch to start the inning. The Eagles put up two after a series of errors from the Wildcats.

A five hit fifth inning produced three more for the Eagles. Concorida held Central Washington the rest of the game. BethAnn McCann struck out a Wildcat to seal the 5-1 win.

Highlights:

• McCann pitched a complete game. She allowed one run with three strikeouts.
• Ferguson was 3-4 with a triple.
• Thorpe went 2-3 with a walk.
• Combined, the Eagles totaled 11 hits

Concordia continues with the Desert Stinger tournament Saturday, Feb. 4^th. They start the day with Dominguez Hills at 2 p.m. and end with University of Sioux Falls at 7 p.m.