SEWARD, Neb. – After a week and a half break, the Concordia baseball team will return to action this weekend. The Bulldogs will host Dakota Wesleyan University on Saturday and Briar Cliff University this Sunday.
GAME INFO
Dakota Wesleyan University (13-10) at Concordia University (14-14)
Saturday, April 2 | 1 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.
Site: Plum Creek Park | Seward, Neb.
Webcast: Concordia Sports Network
GAME INFO
Briar Cliff University (16-14) at Concordia University (14-14)
Sunday, April 3 | 1 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.
Site: Plum Creek Park | Seward, Neb.
Webcast: Concordia Sports Network
Last time out
Last week, the ‘Dogs played host to 12th-ranked Tabor College. The Blue Jays took both victories in the double header, 12-6 and 16-5. Both Taylor Dudley and Johnny May recorded homeruns in the tilts.
GPAC rankings
In the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC), the Bulldogs lead in chances per game (34.68), assists per game (10.54), triples per game (0.54) and total triples (15), rank second in putouts per game (22.39), total assists (295) and innings pitched per game (7.46) and rank third in total chances (971) and total runs scored (216). Below is an individual list of top-10 rankings in the league.
Jacob Adams – triples per game, 10th (0.08); total triples, tied for sixth (2)
Taylor Bickel – wins, tied for eighth (3)
Alex Cargin – assists per game, 10th (2.17); total assists, tied for seventh (52); runs scored per game, 10th (1.04); triples per game, fourth (0.12); total triples, tied for third (3)
Taylor Dudley – triples per game, tied for eighth (0.08); total triples, tied for sixth (2)
Kaleb Geiger – chances per game, first (7.96); total chances, third (183); putouts per game, first (7.22); total putouts, third (166); batting average, tied for 10th (.397); slugging percentage, fourth (.721); runs scored per game, fourth (1.26); total runs scored, tied for sixth (29); RBI per game, seventh (1.09); total RBI, ninth (25); doubles per game, tied for eighth (0.26); total doubles, tied for 10th (6); triples per game, tied for sixth (0.09); total triples, tied for sixth (2); home runs per game, ninth (0.17); total home runs, tied for ninth (4); total bases per game, fifth (2.13); on base percentage, first (.533)
Mark Harris – earned run average, first (2.20); opponent batting average, seventh (.240); innings pitched per game, 10th (4.78); batters struck out per game, third (7.85); total batters struck out, fifth (25); hits allowed per game, third (7.53); total hits allowed, fourth (24); runs allowed, third (15); earned runs allowed, first (7); wins, tied for eighth (3)
Cole Jackson – earned run average, seventh (4.03); innings pitched per game, eighth (4.83); batters struck out per game, 10th (5.28); total batters struck out, tied for 10th (17); hits allowed per game, eighth (9.00); total hits allowed, seventh (29); runs allowed, tied for sixth (19); earned runs allowed, fifth (13)
Christian Montero – RBI per game, fourth (1.11); total RBI, tied for fourth (30); home runs per game, seventh (0.18); total home runs, tied for sixth (5); total bases, tied for seventh (53)
Josue Melchor – saves, tied for fifth (2)
Logan Ryan – total chances, 10th (131); assists per game, second (2.85); total assists, second (77); total triples, tied for sixth (2)
Neil Ryan – wins, tied for eighth (3)
Jared Schipper – saves, tied for 10th (1)
Tanner Wauhob – saves, tied for 10th (1)
Runs record watch
Through 28 games this season the Bulldogs have already scored 216 runs, averaging 7.71 per game. With 23 more guaranteed contests, the team should have no problems surpassing the single-season record for runs of 289 set in the 2015 season. Eleven Bulldogs have crossed the plate more than 10 times with Kaleb Geiger leading the pack with 29.
National numbers
In the nation, Concordia ranks in the top-50 in several categories including seventh in triples per game (0.54), eighth in total triples (15), 15th in asssits per game (10.54) and 25th in runs scored per game (7.71). Below is a list of top-35 individual rankings in the country.
Kaleb Geiger – runs scored per game, 19th (1.26); putouts per game, 32nd (7.23); chances per game (7.96)
Mark Harris – total earned runs allowed, 24th (7)
Logan Ryan – assists per game, 33rd (2.85)
Quotable
“I thought offensively, we were pretty good today. We some good swings off and good things happened at times. We didn’t pitch well at all or defend very well…There are still some positive to build upon…We’ve played 28 non-conference games, so there’s definitely been opportunities to learn about ourselves.”
-Head coach Ryan Dupic on the losses to No. 12 Tabor
Scouting the opponents
Dakota Wesleyan University Tigers
The Tigers of Dakota Wesleyan hold a 13-10 overall record this season. The squad will host Dakota State on Thursday before traveling to Concordia this weekend. The Tigers have won 13 of their last 16 games. As a team, Dakota Wesleyan has a batting average of .301 and an on base average of 39.1 percent. With 67 at bats, Neil Nagle holds a .418 batting average and has recorded a team-leading 28 hits. The Dakota Wesleyan pitching crew has an overall ERA of 6.29 and has struck out 115 batters and walked 70. The Tigers are led by head coach John Greicar who is in his second season at Dakota Wesleyan. Greicar is assisted by Rene Cardona, Brady Nolz and Sam Schumacher.
Briar Cliff University Chargers
The Chargers of Briar Cliff University are currently 16-14 on the season. Briar Cliff will travel to Nebraska Wesleyan on Saturday before coming to Seward on Sunday. Most recently, the Chargers won a pair of games at Mount Marty College. The Briar Cliff squad owns a .342 batting average and a .403 on base percentage. Eight of the Chargers have had at least 80 at bats. Chase Hernandez leads that pack with a .402 batting average. The pitching staff has an ERA of 7.56 while walking 146 batters and striking out 118 opponents. The Chargers are led by head coach Boyd Pitkin who is in his 19th season at Briar Cliff. Pitkin is assisted by Justin Malenosky, Andrew Keane, Mike Malenosky, Jamie Adams and Beau Brown.
Up next on the diamond
In the upcoming week, the Concordia baseball team will host York College for a one game contest with York on Tuesday, April 5 at 5:30 p.m. Later in the week, the ‘Dogs will travel to Dordt College for a GPAC double header beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday.