MILWAUKEE – The MSOE softball team led after four innings in both games of a doubleheader, but conceded six runs in the fifth inning both teams on its way to being swept by Concordia Chicago Friday afternoon at MSOE Athletic Field.

The Raiders (12-18, 8-12 NACC) led 7-1 in game one, and 8-4 after four, but could not hold on in a 12-10 loss. In the nightcap, the Cougars (24-11, 12-8 NACC) overcame a 2-0 deficit in an 11-4 victory.

MSOE jumped out to a big lead in game one, responding to a first-inning run by CUC with four runs in the bottom half of the frame.

The first six Raiders of the game reached base on four hits and two walks. A two-run single by freshman Emily Snow, a bases-loaded walk by sophomore Hannah Wassmann and a sacrifice fly by senior Beth Young drove in the runs.

Young was at the heart of a three-run third inning to open a 7-1 lead. Snow led off with a single and, two batters later, Young connected on a two-run home run to left field. Senior Lauren Boyle then followed with another shot to left—MSOE's second set of back-to-back home runs this week (Tuesday vs. Concordia Wisconsin).

Concordia Chicago got back in the game with three runs in the fourth inning and the Red & White pulled a run back on a Wassmann sacrifice fly in the bottom half of the inning.

In the fifth inning, the visitors batted around on their way to six runs in the frame and a 10-8 advantage. They would go on to add single insurance runs in the sixth and seventh innings to take a 12-8 lead.

Those insurance runs proved vital, as the Raiders rallied in the seventh. Young opened the frame with a walk and Boyle followed with a single. Sophomore Laryn Brinkman then hit a pinch-hit, two-run triple to the corner in right field to make it 12-10 with no outs and a runner on third. After a walk, CUC got a pop up, strikeout and foul out to escape any further damage and close out the win.

Junior Shannon Curtis (6-8) had a round outing, allowing 10 runs over 4.2 innings. Freshman Liz Gale closed out the game, allowing two runs over 2.1 innings of work.

In game two, MSOE opened the scoring with a single run in the first and added another in the fourth to take a 2-0 lead. In the opening frame, freshman Rachel Ziemba singled and took two bases on a wild pitch and passed ball. Two batters later, Snow scored her with a single.

In the fourth inning, sophomore Caitlyn Moran singled and reached third on back-to-back sacrifice bunts before coming home on Boyle's RBI single.

Moran (4-9) cruised through 4.1 shutout innings in the circle before running into trouble in the fifth. She had allowed just three hits and struck out three before five-straight hits plated four runs and led to a pitching change. Curtis was greeted by a sixth-straight hit and, after a ground out, a two-run double to make it 6-2.

The Cougars then tacked on five more runs in the seventh inning to put the game out of reach. Junior Callie Wightman gave the Raiders some consolation, hitting a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh.

The Raiders close out the regular season Saturday at Lakeland.