Rosemont, IL – The Dominican University softball team used a 3-run home run from Candace Kipp in the bottom of the sixth inning to steal game one 7-6 before dropping the nightcap 14-1.
 
Game One
 
The Stars opened the scoring in the bottom of the first as an Olivia Johnson infield single plated Makayla Barnes with two-outs. Malia Gilles stepped into the box next and launched a shot over the left-field fence for a 3-run home run to help Dominican put up a four-spot in the first inning.
 
The Cougars cut the deficit to 4-2 in the top of the second as a one-out error extended the frame allowing the visitors to plate two runs.
 
Concordia Chicago took the lead in the fourth as a leadoff home run trimmed the margin to one. The next batter singled before she was sacrificed to second base with zero outs. After two Cougar batters were retired, a timely single to shallow right field knotted the game at 4-4 before a defensive miscue allowed the visitors to take a 5-4 lead to the bottom of the inning.
 
The Cougars added an insurance run in the fifth as the ballgame headed to the home half of the sixth with the Stars trailing 6-4.
 
Gilles began the rally with a single to center field that was followed by a single to right-center by Winters-McCarthy. After Kipp failed to get the bunt down, she made up for it by blasting a ball over the left-field fence for a 3-run shot to put Dominican ahead 7-6.
 
Things got interesting in the bottom of the inning as a lead-off hit by pitch put the tying run immediately on base. Another defensive miscue by Dominican nullified a sacrifice bunt and gave Concordia Chicago runners on first and second with nobody out. The following batter laid down another bunt with the Stars recording the out at first this time to put runners on second and third with one out. Allyson Dilday remained unfazed however as she fanned the next batter before inducing a fly out to center field to hold on for the 7-6 win.
 
Dilday went the distance in the circle for Dominican, scattering six hits and allowing just two earned runs while striking out six.
 
Gilles went 2-for-3 at the dish as the designated player with three RBIs. Including her 3-run homerun, Kipp went a perfect 2-for-2 in game one.
 
Game Two
 
After a scoreless first two innings, Concordia Chicago erupted for a five-spot in the third on five hits before adding two more in the fourth to open up a 7-0 advantage after four innings of play.
 
Dominican got on the board in the bottom of the fifth as a one-out sacrifice fly by Lexi Breceda scored Megan McCamman to make it a 7-1 ballgame.
 
The momentum was short-lived however as the Cougars exploded for seven runs in the sixth to go on to a 14-1 win in six innings.
 
These two teams will return to the field tomorrow when the Stars make the short trip down Division Street for a 1:00 p.m. NACC doubleheader.