Big Innings Earn Split In Florida Final

AUBURNDALE, Fla. (3/04/17)--- Fans of offensive softball, hits and runs were treated to a good day at the ballpark in the Cobbers' final two games in Florida.

Concordia and its two opponents combined for 27 runs and 28 hits as CC split its final games of their annual spring break trip to Florida. The Cobbers lost 6-5 to Mount Ida (Mass.) in the first game and then plated nine runners in the sixth and seventh innings and beat Husson (Maine) 9-7 in the nightcap.

Senior leadoff hitter Madison Little led the Cobber offensive outburst as she had six hits and drove in five runs in the two games.

The split on Day 6 of the trip to the Sunshine State gives Concordia a 4-6 record for their southern swing. CC split games in their final two days in Florida after sweeping the first two on Tuesday.

It looked like Concordia might drop both games on the final day as they fell behind Husson 4-0 heading into the top of sixth inning. The Cobbers proceeded to take a 5-3 lead as they scored five times on three hits in the sixth. The biggest hit of the frame came off Little's bat when she laced a two-out triple to center field that scored three runs.

The Cobbers then allowed three runs in the bottom of the sixth to fall behind 7-5 heading into the final inning of the trip. Concordia made the most of its last three outs as they scored four runs – all with two outs in the inning.

CC plated its first run on the comeback trail on the second out which was a ground out to second base. The Cobbers had runners on second and third and trailed 7-6. Freshman Olivia Lien then sent the Cobber bench into the air as she cranked a double to right field which scored two runs and gave CC an 8-7 lead. Little then singled to bring home the insurance run and give the Cobbers the final run of the game.

 Senior pitcher Abigail Haraldson then closed the door in the bottom of the seventh as she got the first two atters to fly out and then got a third fly out after Husson had the game-tying run at the plate.

Haraldson went the distance in the circle for Concordia in the spring trip finale. She only allowed one earned run and scattered five hits while fanning four.

Concordia outhit Husson 11-5. Little was 4-for-5 and drove in four of the team's nine runs. Sydney Roberts was the only other CC hitter with more than one base knock in the second game of the day. She went 2-for-3 and scored a run.

The Cobbers had another big inning in the first game against Mount Ida. The Cobbers trailed the Mustangs 3-0 heading into the top of the fifth and then scored five runs on three hits and were helped out by four errors and grabbed a 5-3 lead.

Unfortunately the lead would only last until the bottom of the inning when Mount Ida tied the game with a two-run, two-hit frame.

The Mustangs then won the game on a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning.

The Cobbers were outhit 7-5 in the game. Little had the only multiple-hit game as she went 2-for-4 and drove in a run and scored a run. Madi Veith had the most productive hit of the opener as she knocked a double to center field which drove in three runs in the five-run fifth.

Roberts and Cora Zackrison had the other base knocks for CC.

Sophomore Kelly Riordan got her second start of the Florida trip and pitched her first complete game. She allowed three earned runs and seven hits.

LITTLE NAME, BIG BAT, BIG THOUGHTS, BIG HEART, C'MON: Madison Little rode a big wave in all 10 games in Florida. The surf was up for the senior outfielder who reached base safely in all 10 games, had a team-best .552 average, came away with 16 hits and stole nine bases. She had five multiple-hit games and didn't make an error as the team's starting center fielder.

K'S CARRY SOUTH: Senior All-Conference pitcher Abigail Haraldson started the season where she left off in 2016. Haraldson made four starts in Florida, pitched in 31.1 innings and struck out 31 batters. She came away from her trip with a team-best 2.87 ERA. Haraldson now has 335 strikeouts in her career in maroon and gold. She is now 37 K's away from breaking the school record for strikeouts in a career. That record of 371 K's is held by Erin Gunderson who pitched for CC from 1999-02.                         

WHAT'S NEXT: Concordia will now have a 10-day break and return to action when they host the Cobber Dome Tournament on Mar. 15-16. CC will play two games on both days at the West St. Paul Dome. They will square off against Finlandia and Northland on Mar. 15 and then Bethany Lutheran and Northland on Mar. 15.