FOND DU LAC, Wis. – Three games to one. That was the result of the regular season series between No. 2 seed MSOE and No. 1 seed Concordia Wisconsin. We all know that the regular season records do not mean a thing once you reach the tournament however. With both teams winning their first game of the postseason, the Raiders grabbed the upper hand moving into championship Saturday by dealing the Falcons a 3-1 loss on Friday afternoon.

RESULT IN 10 INNINGS
No. 2 Seed MSOE – 3
No. 1 Seed Concordia Wisconsin – 1

HOW IT HAPPENED
Kara McKenna got the game started off on the right foot for No. 2 seed MSOE (30-6, 15-5 NACC North) when she blasted a ball over the left field fence to lead off the game. Things would calm down from that point on as the game quickly morphed into a pitchers' duel with the Raiders leading 1-0. The contest's starting pitchers combined for 20 strikeouts, including 13 from senior Lorrin Pondo. Pondo would give up just six hits all game, but two of those base knocks allowed No. 1 seed Concordia Wisconsin (29-7, 18-2 NACC North) to tie up the contest in the bottom of the fifth. Another long scoreless period would ensue until the top of the tenth when McKenna homered again, this time over the left center field fence, driving in Delaney Martino who had reached on an error one batter earlier. With a two-run lead in hand, Pondo would get a strikeout and a fly out with the tying run at the plate to secure the Red & White's two run victory.

MSOE STAT TRACKER – TWO GAME TOTALS
Hits – Kara McKenna (3)
Runs Scored – Kara McKenna (2)
RBIs – Kara McKenna (3)
Stolen Bases – None
Strikeouts – Lorrin Pondo (13)

WHO'S ON DECK
The Northern division title will be on the line tomorrow evening when the Raiders and Falcons square off once again. MSOE will have two shots at winning the berth into the NACC championship round next weekend starting at 4:00 pm.

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