WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – One day after slugging its way to a victory over third-ranked Southeastern University, the Concordia University, Nebraska Baseball team won a well-pitched contest on Sunday (March 9) morning in Winter Haven, Fla. In a matchup with Lawrence Tech University (Mich.), Bulldog left fielder Jaeden Jordahl broke a 2-2 tie in the top of the ninth with a two-run, game-winning homer. Meanwhile, Christian Gutierrez worked eight strong innings on the mound as Concordia prevailed, 4-2.
Head Coach Ryan Dupic’s squad is now 2-3 on the road trip after having played four games against a Southeastern opponent that had not lost this season until running into the Bulldogs. Concordia stands at 10-6 overall.
Dupic was pleased to come away with a win following the quick turnaround after Saturday’s doubleheader. Said Dupic, “We’re playing our fifth game in three days and playing at 9 a.m. eastern. Sometimes it’s hard to get out of the gate a little bit. I think both teams dealt with that. You have to pitch and defend a little better on those days, and Guti did a nice job and guys made plays. I was really pleased with it. It’s a good win. This afternoon will be our first chance to relax a little bit.”
The Blue Devils of the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference led by a 2-1 score at the conclusion of seven innings. In the top of the eighth, Matt Rhoades singled to lead it off and then scored two batters later when Michael Welch doubled. After Gutierrez worked a 1-2-3 bottom of the eighth, the Bulldogs did their damage in the ninth with two outs. Jaidan Quinn drew a walk, setting the stage for Jordahl. The junior from Billings, Mont., drove a pitch over the wall for his third home run in a Concordia uniform.
A senior from La Mirada, Calif., Gutierrez made his first start of the road trip and rounded back into form. Gutierrez limited Lawrence Tech to two runs on four hits and three walks in his eight innings. He also recorded eight strikeouts. Junior Daiten Schmidt recorded the final three outs (two by strikeout) and earned the save.
The Bulldogs outhit the Blue Devils, 10-5. Concordia got two hits apiece from Brad Hallock and Rhoades. In addition, Cade Vanis doubled and scored a run and Quinn knocked in a run. Eight Bulldogs notched at least one hit.
However, this outing was more about pitching and defense. Concordia shored up its game after struggling in those areas at times in the series at Southeastern.
Said Dupic, “Guti was back to himself and I thought our outfielders did a nice job tracking some balls and making plays … Jaeden really puts good at-bats together and does a nice job.”
In the final action of the Florida spring break trip, the Bulldogs will play twice more as part of the RussMatt Invitational on Monday. The slate includes a matchup with Judson University (Ill.) at 8 a.m. CT / 9 a.m. ET and a clash with Valley City State University (N.D.). Both games will take place at Chain of Lakes Park.