MEQUON, Wis. — The Loras College softball team faced Concordia University Wisconsin in a pair of games at Catalyst Park Wednesday afternoon, resulting in a narrow 4-3 defeat followed by a decisive 13-2 victory.

Game One: Loras 4, Concordia University Wisconsin 4

In the first game, Loras (15-4) nearly overcame a slow start, scoring all three of their runs in the sixth inning. Concordia Wisconsin (10-5) initially took the lead in the fourth inning with Rylie DuVal walking and stealing second, before scoring on Faith Keiper's double. Maggie Plahmer's single followed, bringing Keiper home and giving the Falcons a 2-0 lead after four innings.

The Duhawks responded in the sixth with a Morgan Lesniewicz triple, and Ellie Baker's RBI single. Hits by Katherine Svigelj and Ava Franklin loaded the bases, leading to Kaili Henning's fielder's choice that allowed Baker to score. A sacrifice fly from Kiya Steger then brought Franklin home, temporarily giving Loras a 3-2 lead.

However, Concordia Wisconsin quickly reclaimed the advantage with a double from Plahmer and a single by Jenna Lischka, bringing the score to 4-3 in the bottom of the sixth. Loras was unable to mount a comeback in the top half of the seventh.

Henning pitched a complete game, throwing 113 pitches with 75 strikes, allowing seven hits, four earned runs, and striking out six batters.

Game Two: Loras 13, Concordia University Wisconsin 2

In game two, Loras (16-4) turned the tide with a commanding performance, scoring 10 runs in the first inning and maintaining control throughout. Svigelj opened the scoring on a throwing error from the Falcons, while Franklin notched career hit No. 100 with a single that also led to an error. Loras capitalized on three errors from CUW, with singles from Henning, Dana Skorich, and Steger contributing to the onslaught. Alyson Krogman walked in another run, and Gillian Jones added an RBI single. Svigelj later doubled, clearing the bases, and Franklin's single with another error added to the tally, resulting in a 10-0 lead after the first inning.

Loras continued to extend their lead in the second inning with two more runs from Krogman and Jones, making it 12-0.

Concordia Wisconsin managed to score in the third inning, but Loras responded with another run in the fourth, bringing the score to 13-1. Concordia added a second run in the fifth, concluding the game with Loras winning decisively at 13-2.
 
Steger delivered a complete game performance, pitching five innings and allowing three hits and two earned runs while striking out one batter, securing her sixth win of the season

Up Next: The Duhawks will travel to Stevens Point, Wis to take on the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point on Saturday, March 28. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.