Desert Delivers Pair of Merciful Wins

(2/25/08 - Softball) TUCSON, Ariz. - Instead of resting on their laurels during Spring Break, #25-ranked Concordia set out to prove it is ready to return to the NAIA elite by posting a 16-0 win over John Carroll (Ohio) and 9-0 over Ohio Northern, Monday morning at the Tucson Invitational Games.

Shortstop Caitlyn Senkbeil found the power stroke that allowed her to tie the NAIA record two seasons ago, blasting a pair of home runs in the opening game as part of a 3-for-4 hitting line. Bambi Finlay celebrated her birthday by going 3-for-3, including her first home run since March 4, 2006, while sophomore Shannon Walton also left the yard.

Sophomore RHP Rachel Reekstin (4-1) cruised to the victory while Laura Wiens tossed a scoreless 5th inning to nail down the victory. The Eagles got a similar pitching performance in game two as Kory Briggs tossed four shutout innings before turning the ball over to Sarah Frudakis to slam the door on a second-straight mercy rule victory.

Senkbeil kept up her hot hitting in the second game, tallying a pair of doubles, while sophomore Alicia Leto cranked up the power with a triple and a home run.

Concordia (13-3) plays three times on Tuesday, February 26. The Eagles start the day against St. John Fisher (N.Y.) at 8:30 a.m. (CST), then move over to Field 2 for games against Briar Cliff (Iowa) at 1:00 before wrapping up the busy day against Capital (Ohio) at 3:00 p.m.