The 2014 season was a successful one for the USF softball team with ten team records and nine individual single season records being set under the guidance of first year head coach Kelsey Thompson. Despite the record setting season, the Cougars were eliminated on Thursday in the NSIC Softball Tournament when they dropped their second game of the day to Concordia-St. Paul by a final score of 7-5.
The loss ends USF's season with an overall record of 30-17 while Concordia-St. Paul advances to Friday's games with their record of 19-33 on the season.
After the Golden Bears took the lead in the first inning with a two run home run, the Cougars closed the gap in the fifth inning with a Betsy Thomas home run to left centerfield that brought USF within one run of Concordia-St. Paul. Thomas came away from the days second game going 1-of-2 at the plate with one RBI and two runs scored.
CSP added to their lead when Emily Shinn hit a sacrifice fly to left field that put the Golden Bears up by two runs in the sixth inning.
The seventh inning was a difficult one for the Cougars defensively as they gave up four runs which was highlighted by a Tessa Ewert three-run homer that put Concordia-St. Paul up by six runs heading into the final half inning. Ewert was a perfect 4-of-4 in the box against the Cougars, recording three RBI.
After Bailey Bouman hit a single up the middle to load the bases, Amanda Walters helped lead a late rally when she hit a grand slam with two outs to put USF within two runs of the Golden Bears. However, a fly out by Shae Hoskins ended the game as USF fell to Concordia-St. Paul 7-5. Walter's homerun ended her day having gone 2-of-4 at the plate with four RBI and one run scored.
Bailey Bouman (11-7) was charged with the loss as she gave up 11 hits and seven earned runs while striking out five Golden Bear batters in her final appearance on the mound for the Cougars.
Stephanie Kappes (10-20) got the victory for Concordia-St. Paul as she gave up nine hits and five earned runs while striking out five Cougar batters.
USF scored their five runs on nine hits while committing one error.
