RIVER FOREST, ILL. — With some new and familiar faces, the Concordia University Chicago (CUC) softball team has crossed another season. This year, the Cougars brought moments of high intensity and comeback compilations to make this season unforgettable. Just coming short of the conference tournament, the CUC softball team looks to continue their legacy building after this season.
Season Recap
Starting off during spring break, the Cougars took a trip down to Orlando, Florida for the Rebel Spring Games. Day one consisted of a win against Defiance College in dominating fashion, 16-2. They then had a weather cancellation, forcing the schedule to have to be moved around. Day two and three would bring an 8-6 comeback win against Geneva College and 9-6 smackdown against Carlow University.
On the final day of Florida, fifth year senior Nikita Robbins was honored with her final at bat and play in the field. Due to injury, Robbins was unable to finish her college career on the field, so she was given a curtain call in her final innings as a Cougar.
After this recognition, the Cougars picked up their final win of the trip 7-5 against Rivier University. They would leave the Sunshine State with a record of 4-4.
Coming back to the Midwest, the Cougars would go on a losing streak, falling to Wheaton College, the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), and Carthage College. After opening up conference play against MSOE, CUC would head up to take on St. Norbert College. Against the Green Knights, they would split with a 1-0 loss and 8-7 win.
Due to ongoing weather, the Cougars doubleheader against North Park University would ultimately be canceled. Hosting Edgewood College, CUC would drop two in this matchup, with scores of 8-6 and 5-3. Then heading to Aurora University, they would also lose two to the Spartans.
In the heat of conference play, the doubleheader against Marian University would end up equaling 25 total innings out of two games. The Cougars would win game one with a score of 3-0 in 14 innings and lose game two 2-1 in 11 innings. Multiple Cougars would earn career highs off of this, including Eden Pufahl with 9.2 innings pitched.
Keeping the momentum going, CUC would pick up a sweep over Alverno College with scores of 14-1 in five innings and 7-4. Against Lake Forest College, the Cougars would lose game one 7-0, but game two would be a battle for the victory. After making a seven-run comeback in the seventh, these two opponents would end in a 10-10 tie due to time.
After falling to Lakeland College, the CUC softball team looked to rock the boat with a win against Benedictine University. They would end up splitting with the Eagles, losing 10-5 and winning 5-1. They then took on the nationally ranked #21 Dominican University Stars to begin the true hunt for a conference tournament berth, unfortunately falling in both.
Against Wisconsin Lutheran College, CUC was able to split in this contest, winning 8-2 in game one and losing 14-10 in game two. With only two game days left, the Cougars found themselves hosting the final games of the season. Against Rockford University, CUC would drop game one 7-4 and make a quick comeback for the split 3-0. They ended their season against Concordia University Wisconsin, by losing both to the Falcons, they finished just short of the conference tournament.
The Cougars finished their season 11-26-1 overall and 7-17 in conference play.
Postseason Honors
One Cougar was selected an for Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) All-Conference Second Team accolade in Arissa Santos.
Santos finished the season as the top Cougar hitter at a .391 batting average. She also led the team in slugging percentage at .625, hits at 50, RBIs at 32, home runs at eight, and total bases at 80. Santos picked up a career-high five hits against Marian University on April 13th. Along with this, she had two separate games where she hit two home runs against Lake Forest College on April 17th and Wisconsin Lutheran College on April 27th. As the starting shortstop for the Cougars, Santos completed 86 assists and 70 putouts this year.
Graduating Seniors
Four Cougars will be moving on from the CUC softball program in Robbins, Annabella Archuletta, Alyssa Kontopoulos, and Gina Westphal. The aforementioned Robbins was only able to play in 43 games as an outfielder, but finished her career as a .321 hitter.
Archuletta, the 2021 NACC South Freshman of the Year, finished with a .346 career batting average with 120 hits, 76 RBIs, 27 doubles, and four homeruns. In the field, she has a total of 142 assists and 87 putouts. Kontopoulos, a sure-handed outfielder, totaled 48 assists and 86 putouts. Westphal, an additional outfielder, totaled 69 hits, 38 RBI, 17 doubles, and two homeruns.
All of these young women have left their mark on their program and have made CUC softball in every way.
Impactful Returners
The Cougars are returning their top sixes hitters back for the 2025 season, including all of their pitching staff as well. Santos, as the All-Conference honoree, will be returning as the Cougars number one hitter. Also returning is Emily Garcia, the freshman second baseman led the team in runs scored with 31 and logged the second highest batting average at .374.
With the middles returning for CUC, the battery for the Cougars will also be back in full force. All pitchers will be returning, including Ashley Shroll who was the top pitcher on staff with a 3.13 ERA, innings pitched with 87.1 and strikeouts with 48. Megan Bouska and Pufahl will also be back, with Bouska logging a 3.93 ERA and Pufahl snagging a 5.32 ERA. Jessica Geng and Melisa Hadzic will be back to protect the plate next season, Geng had the third highest batting average .350 and both of these Cougars logged six doubles on the season.
Finally, Haley Gulsby will be returning to lead the outfield, who also led the team in walks with 15 and stolen bases with seven. Designated hitter and third baseman, McKyler Morris, will also be coming back after finishing with a .328 batting average in her freshman campaign.
Statistical Leaders
Batting
Batting Average - Arissa Santos, .391
Slugging Percentage - Arissa Santos, .625
Runs Scored - Emily Garcia, 31
Hits - Arissa Santos, 50
Runs Batted In - Arissa Santos, 32
Home Runs - Arissa Santos, 8
Walks - Haley Gulsby, 15
Stolen Bases - Haley Gulsby, 7
Pitching
Earned Run Average - Ashley Shroll, 3.13
Innings Pitched - Ashley Shroll, 87.1
Strikeouts - Ashley Shroll, 48
Walks Allowed - Megan Bouska, 4
Fielding
Putouts - Melisa Hadzic, 201
Assists - Arissa Santos, 86
Fielding Double Plays - Melisa Hadzic / Emily Garcia, 12
Season Highlights
The Cougars will be back in the spring of 2025 for their next regular season. To stay up to date on everything CUC softball, follow them on X and Instagram at cucsoftball. Coverage for all of our sports can be found at cucougars.com/coverage.
