VIDEO: Alex Johnson fans 13 Briar Cliff hitters
SEWARD, Neb. – On a day much less conducive to offensive fireworks as compared to this past Friday, the 22nd-ranked Concordia University, Nebraska Baseball team unleashed right-handed hurlers Alex Johnson and Braxton Greenburg in a complete shutdown of the Briar Cliff bats. The result was wins by scores of 1-0 and 9-1 as the Bulldogs hosted the Chargers on a cool but sunny afternoon (March 31) from Plum Creek Park. Briar Cliff mustered a grand total of three hits on the day and Brad Hallock delivered two three-run homers in game two.
Head Coach Ryan Dupic’s squad has pushed its win streak to seven while bumping the overall season mark to 22-8 (10-2 GPAC). Nearly halfway through the conference slate, Concordia sits atop the GPAC standings.
“They were great,” Dupic said of Monday’s pitching duo. “Alex made so many big pitches and just kept coming back. He’s such a complete pitcher. He can control the running game, mix pitches, hit different locations and change speeds. He has really good stuff too. It’s different when you have an ace in the front. We feel really good when he’s out there. And Braxton continues to be great. His last couple starts, he’s been really, really good. He mixed stuff up really well today. He’s pitching with a ton of confidence right now.”
The reemergence of Johnson continues to stand out as one of the best stories of this season for the Bulldogs. On Monday, he made his first home start since May of 2022 and dazzled by leaning heavily upon the fastball. Johnson racked up 13 strikeouts while allowing just two hits and three walks in a seven-inning complete game masterpiece. Any time Johnson found himself in a bit of trouble, he rose to the occasion. After walking the first two hitters in the third, Johnson picked off a runner and then fanned the next two batters. He also stranded a runner at third in the sixth with yet another punch out.
Named GPAC Pitcher of the Week last week, Greenburg has gone back-to-back starts without surrendering an earned run. In his latest outing, the righty from Plymouth, Minn., went 6.1 innings with just a single hit allowed (on a flare to center). Greenburg notched eight strikeouts compared to just one walk. The lone Charger run scored all day came with the aid of an error in the first inning of game two.
Briar Cliff pitcher Cade Nelson matched Johnson zero for zero through the first four innings of game one. In the fifth, the Bulldogs pushed a run across with the help of Jimmy Blumberg’s leadoff single. Cade Vanus then moved pinch runner Zackery Day to second with a sacrifice bunt and Ty Nekoliczak drove in Day with a base hit up the middle. It was all the support Johnson needed.
Said Dupic, “We want to be able to win in different ways. I thought the first game was a good example of that. Cade Vanus got a really good bunt down after Jimmy Blumberg got on base. Then we pinch run Zack and use our bench. Ty puts a really good at-bat together. When we can win those close, pitcher’s duels, we’re going to be in a good spot because we have a team that can score and really be offensive. Winning in different ways is a big deal, for sure.”
Game two finished with much less drama. Hallock’s first three-run shot came in the first inning with Nekoliczak and Jaeden Jordahl aboard. Matt Rhoades joined in the fun with a solo blast to right in the third. Concordia put the game out of reach with four runs in the fifth. Hallock pulverized a no-doubter to left center and Nekoliczak singled in a run in the frame. Hallock, Nekoliczak and Rhoades collected two hits apiece in game two.
Briar Cliff (12-15, 5-7 GPAC) pitched carefully to Jaidan Quinn, whose career home run total remains at 88 (tied with Joey Grabanski for the most in program history). The All-American third baseman walked four times on the day and also made a highlight-reel worthy diving stab and throw to first in the seventh inning of game one.
That play was much appreciated by good friend Alex Johnson. The Olathe, Kan., native stuck it out through two challenging years plagued by injury with the hopes of enjoying moments like these. Said Johnson afterwards, “I definitely don’t take anything for granted. Being able to put on the jersey is good enough for me. It’s nice for me to be able to play with my buddies again. We were doing the math and the last time I pitched here was the GPAC Championship Game against Jamestown three years ago. That’s pretty crazy.”
The string of home games will continue on Friday when Hastings (6-20, 3-9 GPAC) will pay a visit to Plum Creek Park. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 3 p.m. CT. The Bulldogs took a pair from the Broncos last season in Seward. Hastings hired Steve Maddock as its head coach prior to the start of the 2025 season.