2007 - Baseball schedule/results

12-32, 10-14 GPAC

FEBRUARY
Feb. 17	Ottawa University (2)	Ottawa, Kan.	Cancelled
Feb. 22	Bethany College (2)	Lindsborg, Kan.	L 11-4 L 4-3
Feb. 23	York College (2)	York, Neb.	L 11-4 L 13-2
Feb. 28	Tabor College (2)	Tabor, Kan.	L 6-5 L 13-3
MARCH
March 1	York College (2)	Seward, Neb.	Cancelled
March 3	McKendree College (1)	Kansas City, Mo.	Cancelled
March 3	Avila University (1)	Kansas City, Mo.	Cancelled
March 4	Avila University (2)	Kansas City, Mo.	L 10-0 L 13-6
March 5	Missouri Baptist (2)	St. Louis, Mo.	L 4-8 L 4-14
March 13	Concordia University-Austin (1)	Austin, Texas	Cancelled
March 14	Trinity University (1)	San Antonio, Texas	L 10-3
March 15	Texas Lutheran University (1)	Seguin, Texas	L 10-9 (10 inn.)
March 15	Huston-Tillotson (2)	Austin, Texas	L 11-5 W 3-2 (13 inn.)
March 17	#17 Dakota State University (2)	Seward, Neb.	L 4-1 L 8-2
March 18	#17 Dakota State University (2)	Seward, Neb.	L 11-5 L 5-1
March 20	Peru St. College (1)	Seward, Neb.	W 12-11
March 25	Mount Marty College (2) *	Seward, Neb.	L 3-2 (9 inn) L 5-4
March 26	University of Sioux Falls (2) *	Seward, Neb.	L 24-14 (5 inn) W 10-8
APRIL
April 2	Northwestern College (2)*	Orange City, Iowa	L 7-6 L 5-3
April 3	Briar Cliff University (2)*	Sioux City, Iowa	L 10-0 (5 inn) W 10-6
April 7	Nebraska Wesleyan Univ. (2)*	Lincoln, Neb.	L 4-3 L 6-1
April 9	Dana College (2)*	Blair, Neb.	L 3-1 W 10-1
April 14	Doane College (2) *	Crete, Neb.	L 10-0 (5 inn) W 8-1
April 15	Dakota Wesleyan Univ. (2)*	Seward, Neb.	L 8-7 L 7-6
April 17	Univ. of Nebraska-Kearney (1)	Kearney, Neb.	L 11-8
April 20	Dordt College (2)*	Seward, Neb.	W 8-1 W 13-2 (5 inn)
April 21	Morningside College (2)*	Seward, Neb.	L 13-7 W 17-0 (5 inn)
April 28	Hastings College (2)*	Hastings, Neb.	W 3-2 W 8-4
April 29	Midland Lutheran College (2)*	Seward, Neb.	W 11-6 L 15-8

*Indicates Great Plains Athletic Conference Games
All Home Games in BOLD

2007 Roster

No.	Name	B/T	Pos.	Ht.	Yr.	Hometown
1	BJ Juelfs	R/R	OF	6-1	JR	Ft. Collins, Colo.
2	Matt Specht	R/R	INF	6-1	FR	Greeley, Colo.
3	Adam Moyer	R/R	OF	5-10	JR	Las Vegas, NV
4	Kyle Spencer	R/R	P	5-11	SO	Longmont, Colo.
6	Jon Mueller	R/R	P	6-1	SR	St. Louis, Mo.
7	Jack Holmberg	R/R	SS/C	6-1	SO	Westcliffe, Colo.
8	Ben Ahlman	R/R	SS/1B	6-3	SO	Arvada, Colo.
9	Matt Hannel	R/R	OF/P	6-1	FR	Jacksonville, Ill.
10	Matt Rottmann	L/L	P	6-2	JR	Austin, Texas
11	Willie Bush	R/R	3B	6-1	SO	Santa Fe, Texas
12	Sammy Longoria	R/R	OF	5-9	SO	Houston, Texas
14	Peter Ruhl	R/R	P	6-0	SO	Exeter, Neb.
16/29	Marcus Nathan	R/R	C/1B	6-1	JR	Golden, Colo.
17	Joe Becerra	S/R	C	5-11	FR	Houston, Texas
18	Nate Kruse	R/R	P	6-5	SO	Hildreth, Neb.
21	Todd Stahlecker	R/R	OF	5-9	JR	Lincolnville, Kan.
22	Jacob Shaffer	R/R	P	6-4	FR	Lewisville, Texas
23	Zach Williams	R/R	OF/P	6-2	SR	Friendswood, Texas
24	Nate Schmoll	R/R	OF	5-11	FR	Englewood, Colo.
25	Casey Rodriguez	L/R	INF	5-9	SO	Parker, Colo.
26	Chris Nettles	R/R	P	6-1	SO	Huntsville, Texas
27	John Couch	R/R	P/2B	6-2	FR	Santa Fe, Texas
28	Chris McNeil	L/L	P	6-5	FR	San Jose, Calif.
30	Clay Sanford	L/R	C/DH	5-10	SR	Houston, Texas
32	Brett Wilson	R/R	OF	5-11	FR	Colby, Kan.
33	Michael Holmberg	R/R	P	6-4	FR	Westcliffe, Colo.
40	Ryan Biermann	R/R	P	6-2	SO	Loveland, Colo.
	Dusten Bauder	R/R	2B	5-8	FR	Fleming, Colo.
	Kendall Holsten	L/R	3B	6-0	FR	Concordia, Mo.
	Kevin Poppe	R/R	1B	6-4	FR	Spring, Texas
	Evan Snyder	R/L	P	5-10	FR	Loveland, Colo.
	Jonathan Reynolds	R/R	3B	6-1	FR	Oviedo, Fla.
	Andrew Asmus	R/R	3B	5-10	FR	Sioux Falls, S.D.
	Aarin Fellows	R/R	C	6-0	FR	Sargent, Neb.
	John Bierbower	R/R	1B	6-5	FR	Columbus, Neb.
	Seth Heidtbrink	R/R	P	6-0	SO	San Diego, Calif.
RS	Brandon Kozanecki	R/R	P/OF	6-5	FR	Parker, Colo.
RS	Ben McGee	R/R			FR	St. Joseph, Mo.

2007 - Coaching staff

Head coach: Jeremy Geidel

2007 GPAC Baseball Season Poll Released

9 FEB 2007

The Concordia University, Nebraska baseball team finds themselves in the bottom half of the 2007 GPAC preseason coaches’ poll at No. 11. The Bulldogs finished the 2006 campaign in the same spot with a record of 17-31 overall and 9-15 in the conference but look to improve on that mark with a host of young talent and some veteran leaders returning.

Dakota Wesleyan is picked to win the 2007 league title. The Tigers totaled 127 points in the balloting and received four first place votes.

Points were assigned on a 12-1 basis and coaches’ could not vote for their own team. The complete GPAC Baseball 2007 preseason coaches’ poll is listed below:

Team (1st Place Votes) 
1. Dakota Wesleyan (4)
2. Midland Lutheran (3)
3. Sioux Falls (2)
4. Mount Marty (1)
5. Hastings
6. Dana (2)
7. Briar Cliff
8. Northwestern (1)
9. Nebraska Wesleyan
10. Morningside
11. Concordia
12. Dordt
13. Doane

The Bulldogs start the season Feb. 17 as they travel to Ottawa, Kan., to take on Ottawa University.

"We are a young team, but a very talented team," said Head Coach Jeremy Geidel. "We have some great leadership in our returning players and that should help to make us a competitive team in the conference race."

The first home action of the season is on March 1 as Concordia plays host to York College for a doubleheader at Plum Creek Park. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m.

Weekend schedule shake up

22 FEB 2007

After finally getting a pair of games in against Bethany College on Thursday, the Concordia University, Nebraska baseball team announced yet another schedule change. The weekend series scheduled against Missouri Baptist has been cancelled because of field conditions while a doubleheader with York College has been added.

Concordia will travel down the interstate to take on York College on Friday, Feb. 23. The first game of the twinbill is set for 1:00 p.m. 

On Thursday the Bulldogs opened the season at NAIA preseason No. 22 Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kan. 

In game one the Concordia bats were hot in the frist inning, putting a pair of runs on the board. But Bethany's offense was also clicking as they put together an 11 run performance, downing Concordia by a final of 11-4.

Things were much tighter in the second game as Bethany escaped with a 4-3 win over the Bulldogs. 

* Complete stats were not available at the time of publication

Bulldogs drop pair, schedule continues to change

4 MAR 2007

Weather continues to wreak havoc on the Concordia University, Nebraska baseball schedule, forcing the cancellation of four out of the last six games for the Bulldogs.

Concordia was slated to take on York College in a doubleheader on March 1 at Plum Creek Park but the recent snow made the field unplayable. There was a possibility of playing in York, Neb., but the weather also took away that option.

The Bulldogs did manage to get in a twinbill with Avila University in Kansas City, Mo., on Sunday, dropping both games, 10-0 and 13-6. Concordia was also supposed to have single games with McKendree College and Avila on Saturday, but those game were also scrapped. 

In the opening game the Bulldogs (0-8) struggled to find any offensive consistency, managing just four hits in the game. Two of those hits came from shortstop Jack Holmberg. Holmberg went 2-for-2 in the game.

In the second game Concordia put a pair of runs on the board in the first inning to take the early lead. Avila answered with four runs in the bottom of the inning. 

The back and forth battle continued in the second as the Bulldogs added three more runs, taking a one run lead. The lead stood until the fifth inning when the Eagles plated three runs. Concordia pushed across another run in the sixth to pull to within one, but Avila put the game out of reach with a six runs in the bottom of the sixth.

Offensively the Bulldogs were led by second baseman Casey Rodriguez. Rodriguez went 3-for-4 with three runs batted in and scored once. Nate Schmoll also had a multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored. 

The Bulldogs are scheduled to take on Missouri Baptist on March 5 in a doubleheader, weather permitting, in St. Louis, Mo. Concordia then has a break until their annual spring break trip to Texas.

Bulldogs struggle with schedule changes

12 MAR 2007

The Concordia University, Nebraska team continues to struggle with field conditions and weather despite the fact that they have headed south during spring break. The Bulldogs were scheduled to play a game against Texas Lutheran on Monday, March 12, but it has been moved to Tuesday, March 13, because of rain.

The Bulldogs will be busy on Tuesday with a pair of games. Concordia will now play a single nine-inning game against Texas Lutheran at 11 a.m. and wrap-up the day with another nine inning game with Concordia-Austin at 7 p.m.

Over an inning an hour; Bulldogs keep busy

14-15 MAR 2007

In a matter of 30 hours the Concordia University, Nebraska baseball team played 39 innings, picking up their first win of the season, 3-2 over Huston-Tillotson in a marathon 13-inning game.

The Bulldogs (1-17) started the week heading south to Texas for their annual spring break trek that normally includes a host of games in much better weather than is available in Seward. Although the Bulldogs did find warmer temperatures, they also ran into rain that forced the cancellation of one game and the moving of another. 

Because of the weather the Bulldogs contest with Concordia-Austin was cancelled and the game against Texas Lutheran University was moved to Noon on Thursday. Concordia also had a doubleheader against Huston-Tilllotson scheduled for that evening. 

The only game that did not get shuffled was the Wednesday night game against Trinity University. That game started one of the busiest 30 hours in baseball. Concordia dropped the nine inning game against Trinity 10-3.

On Thursday afternoon the Bulldogs were edged by Texas Lutheran, 10-9 in 10 innings, despite a five-run sixth inning. Zach Williams led Concordia at the plate, going 4-for-6, driving in a pair of runs.

In the first game of the doubleheader on Thursday night Huston-Tillotson downed the Bulldogs 11-5. Willie Bush and Nate Schmoll each had multiple-hit nights going 2-for-3. 

In the final game of the evening, a three and half hour marathon that started at 9:30 p.m., the Bulldogs picked up their first victory of the season, 3-2. The wining run was scored by leadoff hitter Todd Stahlecker who reached via a walk and stole second. He scored on an RBI-single by Casey Rodriguez. Chris McNeil earned the win on the mound.

The Bulldogs then faced the task of getting back to Seward in time for a 1:00 p.m. doubleheader against No. 17 Dakota State on Saturday. 

The road-weary Bulldogs were swept by the Trojans on Saturday, 4-1 and 8-2. Concordia hung around in the second game until a four-run fifth for Dakota State broke the 2-2 tie.

On Sunday the Bulldogs pounded out 14 hits between the two games, but were plagues by five errors, as the dropped the pair of games 5-1 and 11-5. Dakota State is perfect on the season with a record of 22-0.

Concordia has three consecutive home dates next on the schedule, as they host Peru State on Tuesday for a single nine-inning contest before opening GPAC play on Saturday with a doubleheader against Sioux Falls at 1 p.m. The Bulldogs also take on Mount Marty in conference action on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Big innings carry Bulldogs over Peru St.

20 MAR 2007

Three different Concordia University, Nebraska baseball players drove in at least two runs and freshman Chris McNeil won his second game as the Bulldogs beat Peru State College, 12-11, Tuesday at Memorial Field at Plum Creek Park in Seward. 

Concordia (2-17, 0-0 GPAC) came from behind for the win, making the most of seven walks issued by the Bobcats (8-20, 0-0 MCAC).

Peru jumped out to an early lead plating a pair of runs in the first inning. The Bobcats went on to score in each of the first four innings en route to an 8-2 lead. 

Freshman Nate Schmoll was responsible for the Bulldogs first two runs, hitting his second collegiate homerun - a two-run dinger - in the second inning.

The Bulldogs pulled within a run, 8-7, with a five-run fourth. The set featured four hits, including a two-run single by sophomore Casey Rodriguez and an RBI single by sophomore Ben Ahlman, sandwiched around a pair of walks.

Peru stretched their lead to 11-7, plating a single run in the sixth, seventh and eighth. Centerfielder Matt Davis paced the Bobcats, going 5-of-6 from the plate, getting three singles, a double and a homerun.

Concordia then had another huge inning in the eighth, scoring five runs to take their first advantage of the game, 12-11. Ahlman had what proved to be the game winning RBI, as he walked with the basis loaded, forcing in pinch runner Brett Wilson. 

In fact, the final three runs scored by Concordia were walked in by the Peru State pitching staff. Ahlman started the rally with a double and then scored on an RBI single by Rodriguez. 

McNeill fanned two batters in three innings of work to pick up the win on the mound, improving to 2-2 overall on the season. He was one of four pitchers to throw for the Bulldogs.

Offensively for the Bulldogs it was Schmoll who led the way, going 4-for-5 with three RBIs and a pair of runs scored. Rodriguez and Ahlman also had multiple hit and RBI games, going 3-for-5 and 2-for-4 respectively. Rodriguez drove in three runs and Ahlman two. 

Concordia has four GPAC home games this weekend, taking on the University of Sioux Falls in a doubleheader on Saturday and Mount Marty in a twinbill on Sunday. First pitch for each contest is slated for 1 p.m.

Rain forces Bulldogs to move doubleheader

24 MAR 2007

The Concordia University, Nebraska athletic department has announced that the baseball doubleheader scheduled for Saturday (March  24) has been postponed due to rain. The game has been rescheduled for Monday (March 26) at a time to be determined at a later date.

The Bulldogs are also scheduled to take on Mount Marty at home in a twinbill on Sunday (March 25). Right now that game is on as scheduled but that could change, as the grounds crew will evaluate the field later on Saturday. 

If Plum Creek Park is determined to be un-playable for Sunday's contest as well there is a possiblity that the Bulldogs would have to travel to Yankton, S.D. to play.

Bulldogs drop one-run games

25 MAR 2007

The Concordia University, Nebraska baseball team dropped a pair of one-run decisions in their Great Plains Athletic Conference opener against Mount Marty College (S.D.) on Sunday at Memorial Field at Plum Creek Park in Seward, falling 3-2 in nine innings in the opener and 3-2 in the second game.

It took extra innings in the opening game as runs were hard to come by, as each pitcher had control of the opponent. The two pitchers, Kyle Spencer for Concordia and Rand Thygeson of Mount Marty, racked up 27 strikeouts in the game.

Spencer scattered four Lancer hits and struck out 12 in the complete game effort, unfortunately two of those hits were homeruns, including what proved to be the game winner in the top of the ninth by Thygeson.

Mount Marty (12-3, 2-0 GPAC) went to the long ball early, getting a solo dinger from Cole Knippling in the first inning. The Lancers added a second run in the fourth as a Mike Hammonds single scored Robb McClemans. McClemans reached after being hit by a pitch. He advanced to second on an errant pick-off throw by Spencer.

The Bulldogs (2-19, 0-2 GPAC) cut the lead in half in the bottom of the fourth as Zach Williams took the first pitch over the wall to make the score 2-1. Another homerun, this one by Jack Holmberg in the sixth, tied the game at two. 

The squads remained tied until Thygeson helped his own cause in the top of the ninth with what proved to be the game winning homer.

In the second game the Lancers jumped out to an early advantage, scoring three runs in the top of the first on another Thygeson dinger, this one a three-run shot. 

Casey Rodriguez reached on a leadoff walk and scored on a double by Nate Schmoll. With the bases juiced at the time of Schmoll's double, Williams was caught in a rundown trying to score after some confusion on the base paths. 

Mount Marty added a pair of insurance runs in the third on another long ball, this time a two-run shot by Jeremy Van Heel.

Concordia countered with a three-run homer in the bottom of the inning by Holmberg to pull within one, 5-4. The Bulldogs had only one base-runner from the fourth inning on, but did strand eight throughout the game. 

Holmberg finished the day 3-for-7 at the plate with four RBIs and a pair of homers. Schmoll had a solid second game, going 3-for-4 with an RBI. 

Concordia continues a busy stretch as they are scheduled to take on the University of Sioux Falls on Monday at 2 p.m. in a doubleheader at Plum Creek Park before heading down the interstate to take on the University of Nebraska at Kearney on Tuesday in a doubleheader scheduled for 4 p.m.

Mother Nature wins again

27 MAR 2007

The Concordia University, Nebraska baseball team had planned on taking on the University of Nebraska at Kearney Lopers on Tuesday, but Mother Nature had other plans. The games were eventually called off after the teams tried to wait for break in the weather, but none came.

The Bulldogs made the trip down the interstate to Kearney, Neb., in anticipation of a pair of games at 4 p.m. with Lopers despite somewhat 'soggy' conditions The field at Nebraska-Kearney featured a turf infield and a tarp, but once the tarp was pulled off the rain started to fall again. After waiting out the rain, a dense patch of fog moved in around 6 p.m. forcing the games to be called off.

The teams have tentatively rescheduled the games for April 17, in Kearney. No start time has been set.

Next action for the Bulldogs is scheduled for this weekend as the Bulldogs take to the road for a pair of conference games, taking on Northwestern College on Friday and Briar Cliff on Saturday.

Concordia splits high scoring series with USF

26 MAR 2007

At first glance it may seem like the Concordia University, Nebraska football team had a scrimmage with the University of Sioux Falls on Monday, March 26. But it was in fact a baseball game. Sioux Falls won the opener 24-14 before the Bulldogs picked up a come from behind win, 10-8, in game two to earn the split.

In the first game, Sioux Falls scored 11 runs in the top of the first, including three home runs. 

The Bulldogs countered with a long ball of their own in the bottom of the innings as Jack Holmberg cleared the basis with a grand slam.

Sioux Falls scored six more runs in the second and five in the third before slowing down with just single runs in both the fourth and fifth. 

Trailing 24-7 heading into the bottom of the fifth the Bulldogs erupted for seven runs on four hits and three free passes. Concordia was unable to plate the ever important eighth run that would have forced the game to continue. The game was called in the fifth due to the 10-run rule.

In game two it initially looked like it was going to be the same song, different verse for the Bulldogs as USF opened up an 8-1 lead after three and a half innings of play.

Four consecutive singles by Zach Williams, Holmberg, Nate Schmoll and Clay Sanford led to a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth. Sanford's single plated two, and Schmoll scored on a sacrifice fly by Willie Bush to pull within four, 8-4.

The hot bats continued for Concordia in the fifth. After a leadoff double by Williams, Holmberg went deep for the second time on the day, making it 8-6. Ben Ahlman doubled in a run and then Bush gave the Bulldogs the lead with a three-run blast over the leftfield fence. 

Williams, who started the game in right, came in to pitch in the seventh with no outs and a runner on first. After an error and a walk loaded the bases Williams proceeded to strike out the next two batters before inducing a grounder to the shortstop who flipped to second for the final out of the game, earning Williams the save.

Offensively for the Bulldogs Holmberg was a double away from hitting for the cycle in game two. He finished the day 5-for-8 from the plate with a pair of homers, scored five times and drove in six RBI. Schmoll also continued his success at the plate, going 4-for-7 with three RBIs. Bush paced the Bulldogs in game two driving in four runs.

Chris McNeil picked up the win on the mound, his third of the year, striking out one and allowing one hit.

Bulldogs drop close contest

2-3 APR 2007

The Concordia University, Nebraska baseball team played six games in the last week, including four games in a two-day stretch, picking up their fourth win of the season over Briar Cliff University last Tuesday in Sioux City, Iowa.

Weather has continued to plague the Bulldogs (4-25, 2-8 GPAC) as they were forced to move a doubleheader with Dana College from Friday to Monday in hope of warmer temperatures.

The Bulldogs did manage to get in a pair of rescheduled double headers early last week, losing a pair of close games to Northwestern College on Monday, 7-6 and 5-3. In the opening game Concordia actually out hit the Red Raiders (12-9) but Northwestern took advantage of three Bulldog errors, scoring a pair of unearned runs in the win.

Kyle Spencer turned in another solid complete game performance, striking out seven in six innings of work.

The next day the Bulldogs took on Briar Cliff in another rescheduled game. Concordia dropped the opening game, getting no hit, 10-0 in five innings. 

In game two against Briar Cliff the Bulldogs picked up their fourth win of the season, 10-6, erupting for three runs in the second and sixth in the third.

Todd Stahlecker and Zach Williams both had multiple hit games for Concordia in the win. Stahlecker finished 3-for-5 with two runs scored, while Williams was 2-for-4 with four runs batted in. 

John Couch picked up the complete game win on the mound, striking out six while walking only one Charger hitter.

The Bulldogs wrapped up the week with a doubleheader in Lincoln, Neb., against the Nebraska Wesleyan Prairie Wolves, falling 4-3 and 6-1. Concordia was the first to score in the opening game, plating a run in the second and two in the third. The Prairie Wolves countered, scoring a single run in the third, but plated three in the fifth. The three runs came a walk, hit batter and a wild pitch, all with the bases loaded and two outs.

Concordia out-hit NWU in the first game, pounding out 11 hits compared to just seven for the Prairie Wolves. 

In the second game the Bulldogs again had more base hits than NWU, but had only one RBI in the contest. Nate Schmoll had a pair of hits in each game and finished the day 4-for-8 with a pair of RBIs. 

In the top of the seventh the Bulldogs loaded the bases with no outs to force a pitching change by Wesleyan. The new pitcher struck out the first batter he faced, Adam Moyer and then gave up an RBI single to Willie Bush. Stahlecker grounded into a double play to end the game.

The next action for Concordia is scheduled for Monday, April 09, in Blair, Neb., against Dana College, the games were originally scheduled for last Friday. The Bulldogs travel to Doane on Saturday, April 14 before returning to the friendly confines of Memorial Field at Plum Creek Park on Sunday, April 15, to take on Dakota Wesleyan University. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.

1-3 weekend ends with one-run defeats

14-15 APR 2007

The Concordia University, Nebraska baseball team picked up a win over Doane College on Saturday, 8-1, and dropped a pair of one-run games against Great Plains Athletic Conference leader Dakota Wesleyan University, 8-7 and 7-6, on Sunday at Memorial Field at Plum Creek Park.

Concordia (6-29, 4-12 GPAC) dropped the opening game on Saturday against Doane, 10-0 in five innings before bouncing back for the 8-1 win in game two.

Bulldog freshman Chris McNeil picked up his fourth win of the season at Doane, going the complete game. McNeil scattered six Tigers hits and struck out seven in the win. 
At the plate every Bulldog started had a hit, led by second baseman Casey Rodriguez (2-for-4, two runs scored) and designated hitter Ben Ahlman (2-for-3, two RBI). 

In the first game with Doane hits and runs were hard to come by for Concordia as they faced Bryan Dutcher. Dutcher currently leads the GPAC with a stingy 1.10 ERA. The Bulldogs had just two hits, one a bunt single by leadoff man Todd Stahlecker. 

Under sunny skies and with temperatures in the mid to high 60's on Sunday both teams hit the ball well. Despite dropping the close games to Dakota Wesleyan the Bulldogs did out hit the Tigers in each game, 10-8 and 12-9.

In the opening game DWU used a big fifth inning to open a 6-2 advantage. The Tigers added a run in the sixth to stretch the lead to five. But Concordia responded in the bottom of the seventh plating four runs, three on a round-tripper by Jack Holmberg with two down.

The next Bulldog batter, Nate Schmoll singled to keep the rally alive, but a sliding catch by the Dakota Wesleyan center fielder of a flare of the bat of Clay Sanford ended the inning and the game.

Dakota Wesleyan plated a pair of runs in the top of the first to start the second game, but Concordia answered with four runs in the bottom of the inning. After a pair of unearned runs due to an error, Schmoll doubled to score a run and Sanford singled to bring around Schmoll.

With a run in the second and three in the third the Tigers took a 6-4 lead. The Bulldogs tied the game with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Stahlecker and a RBI-double by Rodriguez.

A solo home run by Shane Cochrane of DWU in the fifth proved to be the game-winner. 

The Bulldogs did mount another rally in the bottom of the seventh. Stahlecker opened the inning with a single, his ninth consecutive game with a hit, but was out on a force play after a bunt by Rodriguez. Zach Williams singled to move Rodriguez into scoring position but the DWU closer struck out Holmberg and induced a fielder's choice ground ball that retired Rodriguez at third. 

Concordia will travel to Kearney, Neb., to take on the University of Nebraska at Kearney Lopers in a single nine-inning game on Tuesday, April 17 at 7 p.m. The Bulldogs will then return home to host Dordt College on Friday afternoon (4 p.m.) and Morningside on Saturday (1 p.m.) for a pair of conference doubleheaders.

Bulldogs drop high scoring game to UNK

17 APR 2007

Sophomore shortstop Jack Holmberg went 3-for-5 with two runs scored but it wasn't enough as the Concordia University, Nebraska baseball team was edged by the University of Nebraska-Kearney, 11-8, Tuesday night at Memorial Field in Kearney, Neb. 

Originally scheduled for March 27 the game postponed after due to inclement weather. The teams finalized a make up date just last week. The Bulldogs fall to 6-30 on the season while UNK (22-16) has now won 10 of its last 12 games.

The Bulldogs opened the game with a pair of runs in the bottom on a double by Clay Sanford that plated a pair of runs. The Lopers countered, scoring two runs in each of the first three innings to grab the 6-2 lead.

Concordia didn't go down without a fight, rallying in the fourth. The Bulldogs pounded out four doubles in what proved to be a six-run fourth inning. The last two-bagger, a shot to right-center by Ben Ahlman, gave Concordia a two run lead, 8-6. 

From that point on the Nebraska-Kearney bullpen kept the Bulldogs in check, allowing just one hit, a single by Marcus Nathan in the bottom of the ninth.

The Lopers tied the game at eight in the fourth thanks to a two out, two RBI single by Omaha freshman Ryan Haney.

After two scoreless innings of relief by Ryan Biermann for the Bulldogs, UNK moved ahead in the seventh as Haney, a lefty, hit a slicer to left that a diving Bulldog couldn't grab. The ball went all the way to the wall and Haney ended up with a triple. Gillaspy then knocked him in with another hit to the opposite field. 

UNK added a pair of insurance runs in the eighth to seal the win.

Offensively the Bulldogs reached double digits in hits for the fourth game in a row with 10 hits, six of them doubles. In addition to Holmberg who extended his hitting streak to six game, Zach William had another multiple hit game (2-for-4, 2 RBIs).

The Bulldog host a pair of GPAC games this weekend, taking on Dordt College on Friday evening (4 p.m.) and Morningside College on Saturday (1 p.m.).

Long ball carries Bulldogs to three wins

20-21 APR 2007

The Concordia University, Nebraska baseball team turned to the long ball, hitting seven home runs en route to three wins over the weekend. The Bulldogs swept the Dordt College Defenders on Friday, 8-1 and 13-2, before splitting with the Morningside College Mustangs on Saturday. Concordia dropped the opener 13-7 before storming back to win game two 17-0. 

Concordia (9-31, 7-13 GPAC) scored 45 runs on 57 hits during the four game span. Senior Clay Sanford led the way with a homer in each game for the Bulldogs, including a grand slam in the Bulldogs 8-1 win over Dordt College.

Sanford was a part of a record tying performance for the Bulldogs in the second game against Dordt as Concordia blasted three consecutive home runs, equaling the school record for most homers in a game.

Sophomore Jack Homberg led off the inning with a deep shot to left to put the Bulldogs on top by a score of 9-2. The next batter, freshman Nate Schmoll also sent one over the left field fence. After a pitching change by the Defenders, Sanford made it three straight dingers for the Bulldogs hitting his second home run of the day, a blast to center.

Amid the torrid hitting by the Bulldogs a pair of solid pitching performance were also turned in by Concordia hurlers. Kyle Spencer scattered five hits in the complete game efforts, striking out nine Dordt hitters to pick up his first win of the season. Spencer had a shutout heading into the seventh, but surrendered a run on a two-out single.

In the second game freshman Chris McNeil notched his fifth victory of the year, striking out four in the run-rule shortened five-inning game. Offensively all nine Bulldog starters had hits in the game, including multiple hit games by seven different players. Casey Rodriguez paced Concordia, going 3-for-4 with 3 RBIs.

Against Morningside the Bulldogs continued to put the ball in play, pounding out 28 hits in the doubleheader with the Mustangs. Morningside took advantage of three Concordia errors in the opening to down the Bulldogs 13-7. Sanford was a bright spot, going 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and a home run.

In game two the Bulldogs cleaned up their miscues, playing error-free baseball, in their 17-0 win in five innings. Concordia opened the game with a huge first inning, plating nine runs on eight hits. Junior Todd Stahlecker scored twice in the inning, getting a pair of singles in the frame. He finished the contest 3-for-4 from the plate with three runs scored. 

Concordia put the game out of reach in the third, scoring seven more runs, including a pair of two-run homers Holmberg and Sanford. Chris Nettles picked up the win on the mound, his second of the season, striking out five.

The Bulldogs have one home game remaining, as the play host to Midland Lutheran on Thursday, April 26 at 4:30 p.m. Concordia will wrap up the season on the road, traveling to Hastings on Saturday, April 28. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Midland games postponed

27 APR 2007

The Concordia University, Nebraska Athletic Department has announced the baseball doubleheader scheduled for Friday, April 27, 2007, in Seward, Neb., against Midland Lutheran College has been postponed due to rain and wet field conditions. 

Because of the conditions the doubleheader with Midland has been postponed to Sunday, April 29 at 1 p.m., in Seward, Neb., at Plum Creek Park.

To stay up-to-date on all the schedule changes involving Concordia Bulldog Athletics go online to www.cune.edu/athletics.

Bulldogs win 3 of 4 to finish season

29 APR 2007

The Concordia University, Nebraska baseball team used a nine run fifth inning to rally past Midland Lutheran College, 11-6, in game one on Sunday afternoon at Memorial Field. The Bulldogs dropped the second game 15-8.

On "Senior Day," Concordia (12-32, 10-14 GPAC) wrapped up the regular season and ended their season by winning the six of their last eight games, including a sweep over Hastings College on Saturday in Hastings.

Senior Clay Sanford went out in style, hitting a pair of home runs on Sunday. Both homers came in game two. His first blast hit approximately 15 feet up on the light standard in right field. Sanford finishes the season with six home runs.

In the first game Midland opened the game with a bang, as Brandon Willis took the first pitch over the fence to left. The Warriors ended up scoring a pair of runs in the first. They also added two runs in the fourth and firth en route to a 6-0 lead. But in the bottom of the fifth the Bulldog bats came to life.

Concordia erupted for nine runs on 10 hits in the fifth. The Bulldogs sent 13 batters to the plate and three had multiple hits in the inning. Todd Stahlecker had four RBIs on a single and triple. Casey Rodriguez added a pair of singles while Marcus Nathan had a single and a double in the frame.

The Bulldogs added a pair of insurance runs in the sixth via a homer by Willie Bush.
Kyle Spencer picked up the win on the mound, going five innings. Nate Kruse and Ryan Biermann kept the Warriors in check during the final two innings. Kruse pitched the sixth while Beirmann closed out the game.

In game two the Bulldogs scored in every inning except the sixth, but it wasn't enough as the Warriors plated four runs in the first, two in the second and third and another three in the fourth to open a 11-6 lead. 

John Couch was tagged with the loss for the Bulldogs who were plagued by five errors in the second game.

Offensively for the Bulldogs in the second game Jack Holmberg and Ben Ahlman were each 3-for-4 from the plate. Ahlman scored once and drove in a run. Sanford was 2-for-3, with the two homers. For the day Ahlman was 4-for-6.

Williams highlight All-GPAC selections

7 MAY 2007

Seven different players from the Concordia University, Nebraska baseball team were honored on 2007 Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) All-Conference team. The list, released on Monday afternoon, consists of 17 first-team members, 17 second-team members and an honorable mention list.

Senior outfielder Zach Williams was named to the first-team while Todd Stahlecker (OF), Nate Schmoll (OF), Casey Rodriguez (2B), Jack Holmberg (Util), Chris McNeil (P) and Clay Sanford (1B) were all tabbed honorable mention selections.

Williams (Friendswood, Texas) led Concordia with a .401 batting average. He also had the team highs in doubles (16) and hits (57). In addition he drove in 31 runs and had a slugging percentage of .589. On top of his offensive numbers Williams also struck out 26 batters and notched a save while serving as a relief pitcher for the Bulldogs.

Stahlecker (Lincolnville, Kan.), a junior centerfielder played error-free baseball for the entire season. He finished with no errors on 97 opportunities. The Bulldogs' lead-off hitter, he also added 13 stolen bases in 15 attempts.

Schmoll (Englewood, Colo.), a freshman, was the second leading hitter for Concordia, finishing with a .376 average.

Rodriguez (Parker, Colo.), a sophomore, hit .338 during the season and drove in 34 runs, second most on the team.

Holmberg (Westcliffe, Colo.) paced the Bulldogs with 40 RBIs. He also had a team high eight home runs while splitting time between shortstop and designated hitter.

McNeil (San Jose, Calif.) led Concordia on the mound in wins with six despite being just a freshman. He struck out 39 batters in just 43.2 innings of work.

Sanford (Houston, Texas), a senior, came on strong in the month of April, hitting safely in 18 of 22 games. During that span he had 22 RBIs and six home runs.