Gracie Clark and NorthWood fell just short in beating Concord, 3-2, Wednesday. (File photo by Mike Deak)

ELKHART – An unearned run was enough for Concord to hold off NorthWood, 3-2, Wednesday night in Northern Lakes Conference softball.

Played at Elkhart Memorial due to poor field conditions at both Concord and NorthWood, the game came down to an error in the fourth inning by NorthWood that allowed Zoey Stender to come around to score. Stender had earned a two-out walk and stole second, then came around on the error to give Concord a 3-2 lead.

NorthWood opened the game with a tally in the top of the first, Morgan Jenkins starting the game with a double and coming home on another double from Gracie Clark.

The Minutemen got on the board in the first after a fielder’s choice off the bat of Skylar Decker and RBI double from Madison Kelly put Concord up 2-1.

NorthWood knotted the game at two when Concord misplayed a ball off Jenkins’ bat.

But with the lead, Alexis Kern dug down and kept NorthWood at bay. Kern only allowed one single the final three innings, sending down the final seven Panthers in order. Kern gave up just five hits and struck out eight in the complete game win.

Madison Miller struck out seven in three innings of relief, but took the tough luck loss with the unearned run in the fourth. Gracie Clark allowed three hits in her three innings of work.

Concord moves to 10-1 overall and 6-1 in the NLC while NorthWood drops to 7-9 and 2-5. The Panthers meet Northridge Friday.