Concordia Takes NAIA Opener in Extra Innings 8-5 over Grandview - Cascade Collegiate Conference Skip To Main Content

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Concordia Takes NAIA Opener in Extra Innings 8-5 over Grandview

Concordia Takes NAIA Opener in Extra Innings 8-5 over Grandview

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OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla.—After giving up three runs in the bottom of the seventh, No. 17-seeded Concordia responded with three runs in the ninth to defeat Grand View (Iowa), 8-5, in the first game of action at the NAIA Softball National Championships Opening Round held at Oklahoma City University's Ann Lacy Stadium on Monday.

With the win, Concordia (41-16) will next play at 12 p.m. (CST) on Tuesday against the winner of Monday's evening game between No. 1-ranked Oklahoma City and Concordia (Neb.).

Grand View (33-12) opened the game with two runs in the bottom of the first to immediately apply pressure on the Cavaliers and continued to ear until the fourth.

Concordia scored single runs in the next two frames to knot the game at 2-2 and used a two-run single by Kate Santosto take the lead in the fourth.

The Cavs added a run in the sixth to stake a 5-2 lead and appeared to wrap up the contest but the Vikings responded with three two-out hits in the home half of the inning to tie the game once again.

After the opening two outs, Devin Brown drew a walk and was followed by a single to center by Abbey Wilmes to put the tying run at the plate. Down to her last strike, Jessica Grochala tripled down the right-field line for a 5-4 contest.

Next up, Meaghan McCarthy drilled a double down the left-field line that was later unsuccessfully argued as a foul ball. With the game tied, the Cavs turned to Mattie Boucher who immediately notched a strikeout to end the threat.

Neither team generated a scoring chance in the seventh.

Santos started the scoring ninth with a walk while Destinee Chang came back with a bunt single. After a pop up for the first out, Mariah Jimenez single to left field to load the bases. The Vikings record the second out on a strikeout beforeSam Owirka delivered the go-ahead run on a singe to left. Up one, Megahn Luebbert drilled a comebacker to Grand View starter Claudia Farrel that violently ricocheted off the pitcher and allowed two more runs to score.

Armed with the lead, Boucher allowed a leadoff single in the bottom of the ninth, but received help by her battery mate as Santos eliminated the runner on a stolen base attempt. Back-to-back groundouts clinched the win.

Overall, Concordia belted out 13 hits compared to six for the Vikings. The Cavs, however ,stranded 13 runners on base compared to eight for Grand View. Jiminez led the Cavs with a 3-for-4 day at the plate.

Farrell went 8 2/3 innings for the Vikings before being relived by Wilmes. Boucher improved to 15-5 on the season with the win. CU starter Lucy Baldovino allowed five runs on five hits. Baldovino struck out eight and walked non in the outin

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