The Dominican University softball team closed out the 2011 regular season on Sunday, dropping a doubleheader to the Concordia University Wisconsin Falcons 1-0 and 4-0 to fall to 23-13 overall and 15-9 in the Northern Athletics Conference (NAC).

The Stars’ offense struggled all day against the Falcons, managing just eight hits in the twin bill, four hits in each game.

The Falcons scored what proved to be the winning run in game one in the bottom of the first as right-hander Jori Cicale (Steger, Ill.) issued a leadoff walk to Jannelle Schroder. After stealing second, Schroder reached third on a sacrifice bunt before scoring on an RBI single off the bat of Cara Landherr. A pair of walks loaded the bases for the Falcons, but Cicale was able to end the threat with a strikeout.

The Stars put runners in scoring position in both the fourth and fifth innings but could not push any runs across.

Cicale dropped to 10-6 on the season, scattering five hits and four walks over six innings while striking out four.

Offensively, Beth Santor (Oak Lawn, Ill.), Kristen Look (Frankfort, Ill.), Andrea Pinarski (Goshen, Ind.) and Emily Mahoney (Crystal Lake, Ill.) each had one hit apiece for the Stars.

In game two, the Stars threatened in the top of the first as Look roped a one-out single ahead of Sarah Budz (Orland Park, Ill.), who drew a walk to put runners at first and second. After Mahoney grounded out to second Pinarski went down swinging to end the threat.

Mahoney, in the circle in game two for the Stars, pitched around a pair of first inning walks before running back into trouble in the bottom of the third. A two-out walk to Schroder was costly as she stole second and then scored on an RBI single by Holly Zinnecker.

The Falcons pushed across three more runs in the fifth as Sara Mihalo started things off with a pinch hit double.

Mahoney surrendered seven hits and three walks over six innings while striking out three to tall to 11-5 on the season.

Dominican enjoy a few days off before returning to action in the NAC Softball Tournament which is slated to begin play on Thursday. With seeding still to be determined, the Stars will open tournament play against Lakeland College at 3:00 PM on Thursday at Alverno Field in Milwaukee, Wis.