HASTINGS, Neb. – In a weekend heavily impacted by rain and thunderstorms, Concordia University, Nebraska Baseball and Hastings completed their doubleheader on Sunday (April 26). The Bulldogs handled their business by thumping the Broncos, 11-0, in a five-inning contest. The game went final at that point as a storm rolled into the area. Hastings took Saturday’s first game, 3-1, at Duncan Field before the weather interruption. On Sunday, five Concordia players notched multiple hits.
Entering the day, Head Coach Ryan Dupic’s squad had already secured the No. 2 spot in the final GPAC standings. The Bulldogs will enter the postseason at 34-15 overall (22-6 GPAC).
“We’re trying to put ourselves in position to get an at-large berth, depending on how things go,” Dupic said. “Every game has great value for us. The guys handled it well and did a good job. It was kind of an odd weekend with all this stuff – going on the road a couple days ago for games we were hoping to have at home and then having these weather changes. The guys did a nice job handling it and finished the regular season strong.”
Concordia poured it on the Broncos by scoring multiple runs in every inning. Breakout star Jake Watson initiated the scoring with an RBI single in the first. He also doubled home two runs in the second as part of his two-hit, three-RBI day. Shortstop Jake Tyler helped extend the advantage with a two-run single apiece in the third and fourth innings. The Bulldogs boosted the lead to double digits in the fifth via an RBI base hit from both Bronx Lewis and Carson Burnett.
The five Concordia standouts with multiple hits were Lewis (3-for-3), Burnett (2-for-3), Tyler (2-for-3), Jaeden Jordahl (2-for-3) and Watson (2-for-4). Out of the leadoff spot, Jordahl reached base three times and scored three times. Designated hitter Andrew Fetty also contributed significantly as he went 1-for-2 with two walks and two runs. One day after breaking a program record for putouts in a single season, Watson was back behind the plate.
The offensive support was appreciated by starting pitcher Sam Bespoyasny, who improved his season record to 5-1. The right-hander from Omaha threw four scoreless innings while scattering three hits and three walks. He posted three strikeouts. Trent Schlim then fired a shutout fifth inning, just as the rain began to fall.
The Broncos (22-24, 10-18 GPAC) had just one extra-base hit on Sunday. Starting pitcher Markus Miller surrendered four runs in two innings before turning it over to the bullpen. Despite the defeat, Hastings has locked itself into the GPAC tournament.
As the No. 2 seed in the GPAC tournament, the Bulldogs will host double-elimination pod play from April 29-May 1. The first day of action will take place at Plum Creek Park in Seward before shifting to Sherman Field in Lincoln for days two and three.
Said Dupic, “It’s nice to be able to close to home. From that perspective, we’re grateful to have that opportunity and not have to be too far away from home.”