STERLING, Kan. – Reigning GPAC Player of the Week Jayden Adams just won’t stop hitting. He collected three more hits while driving in six runs in another offensive clinic put on by the Concordia University Baseball team. In a scheduled nine-inning game, the Bulldogs needed only seven to take care of host Sterling College, 15-5, in Sterling, Kan., on Wednesday (March 10). Concordia put up a double-digit run total for the fourth game in a row.
Seventh-year Head Coach Ryan Dupic’s squad moved to 9-2 overall this season. A cross wind that limited the carry of balls hit to left field still couldn’t slow down this lineup.
“I was really pleased with the offense today,” Dupic said. “We faced a guy who threw pretty hard but was a little wild. The wind was blowing about 30 miles per hour from the left field corner to the right field corner. With a right-handed dominant lineup that can be tough for us, but our guys did a terrific job of knowing the strike zone, being patient and getting their pitch. We used the whole field and drove the ball to the opposite field. We showed our versatility.
“The top of the order was really good. Jay (Adams), Jesse (Garcia) and Joey (Grabanski) have done a terrific job of getting us off to a good start at the top of the lineup.”
Those three players mentioned by Dupic went a combined 7-for-10 with five extra base hits, four walks, five runs scored and 10 RBIs. In a relentless assault, Concordia put up multiple runs in four separate innings and built a 15-1 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh. Adams struck for a double and a triple while Garcia notched two doubles and Grabaski posted one double. Out of the No. 5 spot, Keaton Candor went 2-for-3 with a double, a run and an RBI.
After belting 22 home runs over the first 10 games, the Bulldogs did not need the long ball on Wednesday. They totaled 12 hits (seven for extra bases) and 13 walks in another wearing out of the base paths. Ten Concordia hitters reached base safely at least once via a hit and/or walk.
As planned coming into the day, Dupic made liberal use of the pitching staff. Starter Ben Coldiron worked only one inning and was able to wiggle out of a jam while keeping the Warriors off the scoreboard. Six hurlers got at least one out after being called from the bullpen: Nathan Buckallew (1.2 IP), Zach Pinkerton (1.1 IP), Caden Johnson (1.2 IP), Drew Ward (0.1 IP), Ryan Samuelson (0.2 IP) and Dresden Wilson (0.1 IP).
Sterling (9-9) got four of its five runs in the seventh and nearly avoided the 10-run rule. Wilson recorded a strikeout with runners on second and third to end the game. The Warriors have played one other GPAC opponent this season. They earned a doubleheader sweep of Hastings on Feb. 23.
Life on the road will continue as the Bulldogs now head to Dickinson, N.D., for a four-game series at Dickinson State University. Doubleheaders are slated to begin at 2 p.m. CT on Friday and at 12 p.m. on Saturday. The series was originally scheduled to be played Saturday-Sunday in Sabetha, Kan., but was moved due to rain in the forecast.