MELBOURNE, Fla. – Softball kicked off the day with their final double-header before heading home to Grand Rapids. Game one was an up and down battle as the ladies could not hold their lead and fell to Saint Francis 6-3. The second game of the day was a different story as the Golden Eagles played together and found a way to secure the 3-1 win over Florida National. Cornerstone travels to Illinois for their next double-header on Friday, March 14 against Olivet Nazarene. 
 
Game One Recap: Cornerstone – 3 Saint Francis – 6

• The Cougars came out slow to the ballpark as they walked two Cornerstone batters to set up the Golden Eagles early. 
• Moriah Sprague doubled down the right field line to kick off the scoring in the game.
• The next Golden Eagle at bat came with a strike from Sam Timmer who propelled Cornerstone to the quick 3-0 lead after the 1^st inning. 
• Saint Francis found their groove in the bottom of the 2^nd inning with a flurry of hits that drove in three runs to tie the game at 3-3. 
• Alyssa Braam weathered the storm well until the 3^rd inning where the Cougars gritty at bats drove in a score changing run. 
• The bats for the Golden Eagles began to cool off as they could not string any hits together as they trailed 5-3 after the top of the 5^th inning. 
• Smooth play from the Cougars continued as they scored another run in the bottom of the 5^th. 
• Saint Francis leaned on their pitching to close out the game with multiple strikeouts as they downed Cornerstone 6-3. 

Game Two Recap: Cornerstone – 3 Florida National – 1

• Game two started strong for both sides as their defenses stepped up early to keep the game scoreless after the first three innings.
• In the top of the 4^th inning Florida National showed threats as they placed a runner on third, but the Golden Eagles defense held strong again with consistent pitching from McKenna Gilde. 
• Moriah Sprague strung together another connection and allowed for Cornerstone to look a threat in the bottom of the 4^th inning. 
• The next at bat saw Alexis Ashbay single through the left side to allow the Golden Eagles to score the first run of the game. 
• The next pitches began to look shaky for the Conquistadors as a wild pitch allowed for yet another run to be scored.
• Cornerstone finished the 4^th inning with a 3-0 advantage to take into the remainder of the contest. 
• McKenna Gilde continued her strong day from the mound as she struck out the first at bat in the 5^th. 
• Two singles for Florida National gave Cornerstone a scare but they did not fold easily and made it out of the inning unharmed. 
• Two more strikeouts in the final inning secured the 3-1 victory for the Golden Eagles in their final game at the Space Coast games. 

By the Numbers:
3 – Cornerstone managed to drive in three runs in both games today. 
5 – The Golden Eagles had exactly five hits in each game. 
12 – The ladies left 12 runners on base throughout the day compared to their opponents 17. 

What's Next?
The Golden Eagles next test will come on the road against Olivet Nazarene for a double-header on Friday, March 14^th starting at 3:00 p.m.
 
Contact: Jonny Strube | jon.strube@cornerstone.edu
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