BURNABY, BC – The Simon Fraser University softball team split a double header with Concordia University, winning Game One 8-4 before dropping Game Two 9-2, Sunday afternoon at Burnaby Mountain's Beedie Field.
 
It was a tale of two games for each of the teams, both showcasing effective offence in one game while being stalled in the other, as the Clan's early energy in the first game of the doubleheader could not propel them to a second victory.
 
Simon Fraser opened strong, earning five runs on just two hits in the bottom of the first led by right fielder Rachel Proctor, batting in sixth position, who hit her first grand slam of the season.
 
With the bases loaded, Proctor took a commanding swing at Mattie Boucher's pitch, sending the ball out of the park and into the stands. Alex Baylak, Taylor Lundrigan and Danielle Raison all scored runs on the play, while Taylor Ginnis earned the fifth run of the inning.
 
Down 5-0, Concordia began chipping away at the Clan defense, earning a single run in the three following innings, pushing to 5-3 at the bottom of the fourth and prompting several pitching changes.
 
Starting pitcher Jessica Goulet and freshman Alia Stachowski each saw time before coach Mike Renney brought in senior Kelsie Hawkins in the top of the fourth, as the Victoria, BC native went on to pitch three strikeouts on 16 at-bats.
 
In the bottom of the fourth Gillis scored her second run of the game on a single by Raison, before Robyn Mogavero was brought in for her first of the game on a Lundrigan single.
 
Then in the bottom of the fifth a Gillis single brought home Proctor for her second run of the game, and almost brought home freshman Victoria Saunders who was caught by the CU catcher on her way home.
 
Proctor was 3-for-2, with two runs and two RBIs, while Gillis was 3-for-2, with two runs a one RBI in the game.
 
In the second game it was Concordia who capitalized early, opening with two runs on one hit in the top of the first, before adding a third in the second inning to lead 3-0 entering the bottom of the second.
 
There, a Kaitlyn Cameron homer brought in Stephanie Sheard, who had singled to right field to get on, bringing the Clan within striking distance.
 
The Cavaliers extended their lead quickly however, scoring five runs on four hits in the bottom of the third to put the Clan in comeback position.
 
Unfortunately, SFU was held scoreless and hitless the remainder of the game, as pitcher Lucy Baldovino gave up only three hits on 25 at-bats the entire game.
 
In game two, Goulet was awarded with the loss, while Stachoski and Megan Malkowich also saw the field in relief.
 
With the split Simon Fraser moves to 9-9 on the season, remaining 0-2 in GNAC play, while Concordia move to 18-7 overall.
 
The Clan now hit the road for a series of four double-headers in Washington, Oregon and Montana, before hosting their next home games beginning April 3, 2015.