2009 - Baseball schedule/results

14-32 Overall, 8-16 GPAC - View stats for the season

FEBRUARY
Feb. 14	Bethany College (1)	Lindsborg, Kan.	W 4-3
Feb.  15	Bethany College (2)	Lindsborg, Kan.	L 11-2 L 4-2
Feb.  22	Avila University (2)	Kansas City, Mo.	W 4-3 L 14-7
Feb.  27	Freed-Hardeman University (2)	Henderson, Tenn.	L 10-0 L 10-0
MARCH
March 5	Nebraska Wesleyan Univ. (1)	Lincoln, Neb.	L 17-11
March 6	York College (2)	York, Neb.	L 11-0 (5 Inn.) W 6-5
March 8	Northwestern Oklahoma St. Univ.  (1)	Alva, Okla.	L 13-3
March 9	Howard Payne University (1)	Brownwood, Texas	L 14-13
March 10	Texas Lutheran University (1)	Seguin, Texas	L 4-3
March 14	Bacone College (2)	Alva, Okla.	L 13-12 W 11-3
March 15	Northwestern Oklahoma St. Univ.  (2)	Alva, Okla.	L 22-3 L 23-6
March 17	Bellevue University (1)	Seward, Neb.	L 6-4
March 21	University of Sioux Falls (2) *	Seward, Neb.	L 13-11 L 12-4
March 22	Mount Marty College (2) *	Seward, Neb.	L 13-10 L 8-6
March 28	Briar Cliff University (2)*	Sioux City, Iowa	L 6-4 L 8-6
March 30	Peru State College (1)	Peru, Neb.	W 20-10
APRIL
April 1	York College (1)	Seward, Neb.	L 7-1
April 3	Dana College (2) *	Blair, Neb.	W 5-4 (10 Inn.) L 9-8
April 4	Nebraska Wesleyan Univ. (2) *	Lincoln, Neb.	L 9-5 W 4-2
April 7	Northwestern College (2)*	Orange City, Iowa	L 9-0 W 3-1
April 10	Doane College (2) *	Crete, Neb.	W 6-3 L 12-3
April 11	Dakota Wesleyan Univ. (2) *	Seward, Neb.	L 9-4 L 12-0
April 14	Doane College (1)	Seward, Neb.	W 9-5
April 17	Dordt College (2) *	Seward, Neb.	W 14-0 W 7-4
April 18	Morningside College (2) *	Seward, Neb.	W 11-1
			L 10-0
April 20	Bellevue University (1)	Omaha, Neb.	L 40-5
April 23	Midland Lutheran College (2) *	Seward, Neb.	L 15-5 W 12-9
April 25	Hastings College (2) *	Hastings, Neb.	L 6-2 L 2-1

Home games in Bold
* denotes Great Plains Athletic Conference games

2009 Roster

No.	Name	B/T	Pos.	Ht.	Yr.	Hometown
2	Andy Whitfield	L/R	2B/SS	5-8	So.	Berthoud, Colo
3	Raymond Cooper	R/R	2B/3B	5-4	Jr.	Castle Rock, Wash.
4	Josh Anderson	R/R	RHP/3B	6-5	Fr.	Westminster, Colo
5	Morgan Blatnik	R/R	2B	6-0	Fr.	Littleton, Colo
6	Billy Kuhn	R/R	UT/RHP	5-9	Fr.	Colorado Springs, Colo
7	Jack Holmberg	R/R	3B/DH	6-1	Sr.	Westcliffe, Colo
8	Jamie Dillard	R/R	OF	6-2	Fr.	Tucson, Ariz.
9	BJ Swearer	R/R	1B	6-0	So.	Lincoln, Neb.
10	Nate Comes	R/R	OF/RHP	5-7	So.	Grimes, Iowa
11	Robbie Jeppeson	L/L	LHP	6-1	Fr.	Pleasant Dale, Neb.
12	Connor Holzkamp	L/L	LHP	6-4	Fr.	Littleton, Colo
13	Josh Holden	L/R	C	6-0	Fr.	Santa Clarita, Calif.
14	Kevin Poppe	R/R	1B	6-5	Jr.	Spring, Texas
15	Jacob Yurich	R/R	RHP	6-3	So.	Aurora, Colo
16	Brandon Pflug	R/R	C	6-3	Fr.	Ft. Morgan, Colo
17	Joe Becerra	S/R	C	5-10	Jr.	Houston, Texas
18	John Couch	R/R	RHP	6-2	Jr.	Santa Fe, Texas
19	Ryan George	R/R	C	6-3	Fr.	Urbandale, Iowa
20	Cole Brodin	R/R	OF	5-10	Fr.	Parker, Colo
21	Zach Goodrich	R/R	OF	5-7	Fr.	Lutz, Fla.
22	Payton McLachlan	L/L	LHP	6-2	So.	Arvada, Colo
23	Martin Rodriguez	R/R	OF	6-0	Fr.	Tucson, Ariz.
24	Nate Schmoll	R/R	OF	6-0	Jr.	Englewood, Colo
25	Casey Rodriguez	L/R	SS	5-9	Sr.	Parker, Colo
26	Caleb Taylor	R/L	LHP	6-1	So.	Georgetown, Texas
27	Steven Ivanoff	R/R	RHP	6-2	Fr.	Tucson, Ariz.
28	Eric Gramenz	R/R	RHP	5-10	So.	Steeleville, Ill.
29	Mitch Nathan	R/R	C/1B	6-1	So.	Golden, Colo
31	Alex Muniz	R/R	C	6-1	Fr.	Tucson, Ariz.
32	Josh Nance	L/L	1B/OF	6-0	Fr.	Brighton, Colo
33	Jacob Shaffer	R/R	RHP	6-5	Jr.	Lewisville, Texas
34	Adam Wolf	R/R		5-9	Fr.	Phoenix, Ariz.
35	Micah May	R/R	OF	6-1	So.	Colorado Springs, Colo
36	Ben Plazcek	R/R	OF	5-9	Fr.	Colorado Springs, Colo
40	Ben McGee	R/R	OF	6-0	So.	St. Joseph, Mo.
42	Paul Rowlett	R/R	C/RHP	6-3	Fr.	Lodgepole, Neb.
43	Anthony Flores	R/R	SS/2B	5-8	Fr.	Craig, Colo
44	Austin Beckman	R/R	OF	6-2	So.	Arlington, Texas
45	Michael Daniels	R/R	2B/SS	5-5	Fr.	Taylorsville, NC
RS	Seth Morris	R/R	2B	6-1	Fr.	Columbus, Neb.
RS	Tyler Vest	R/R	C/OF	5-8	So.	Houston, Texas
RS	Ryan Frank	R/R	OF/RHP	6-3	Fr.	Littleton, Colo
RS	Brad Stearns	R/R	RHP	6-3	Fr.	Eagle River, AK
RS	Brad Ramp	L/L	LHP	6-0	Jr.	Friend, Neb.

2009 - Coaching staff

Head coach: Jeremy Geidel

Bulldogs split with Avila

22 FEB 2009

Junior John Couch picked up his first win of the season as the Concordia University baseball team went 1-1 on Sunday against the Avila University Eagles. Game 1 starter John Couch pitched 6 solid innings, allowing 3 runs on 4 hits and striking out 2.  With the game on the line, freshman pitcher Steven Ivanoff was brought in to close and picked up the save for the Bulldogs. Freshman Jamie Dillard led the offensive strike by going 2-for-3 with a double and a RBI.  

The Eagles struck first to take an early 1-0 lead with a 2-out double by Bryan Snodgrass, scoring Brandon Pearl from second base. The Bulldogs responded by scoring once in the third inning and twice in the fourth to take a 3-2 lead. Casey Rodriguez, BJ Swearer and Ben Placzek each picked up an RBI through this stretch. The Eagles fought back to tie the game 3-3 in the sixth inning, taking advantage of a couple of miscues in the field by the Bulldogs to bring Austin Speer around the bases. In the seventh inning, the Bulldogs were able to load the bases off an error, hit and walk. A sacrifice fly by Dillard with one out scored the go-ahead run and was enough for the Bulldogs to notch the victory.

Game 2 saw an explosion of offense from both teams. Concordia put up 7 runs, the most in a game so far for the Bulldogs.  Unfortunately for Concordia, Avila had even more firepower, and the Eagles won the back end of the double header 14-7. Junior Jacob Shaffer took the loss for the Bulldogs, allowing 9 runs on 8 hits, striking out 8 in four innings of work. Junior Nate Schmoll and Placzek, a freshman, led the Bulldogs' offense, both going 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI's on the day.  

The Bulldogs opened the doors early by scoring 3 in the first inning off of Eagles' starter Sean Belknap. Schmoll picked up his 2 RBI on the day on a double to right center, scoring Rodriguez and Morgan Blatnik. Schmoll would later score on a base hit by freshman DH Brandon Pflug. The Eagles returned the favor by scoring 5 runs of their own. Tim Matson started the offensive surge by leading the inning off with a home run to right center. Later that inning, the Eagles used a hit and a couple of walks to load the bases for Snodgrass. Snodgrass, facing a 2-1 count, found just the pitch he wanted and knocked it over the fence for grand slam home run. The Bulldogs subsequently found themselves down 5-3 in the third inning, but were able to battle back. Concordia's Swearer and Joe Becerra, helped by some miscues by the Eagles, drove in runs to tie the game at 5-5. The Avila bats, however, didn't rest. The Eagles scored 4 runs in the fourth inning and 4 more in the fifth to take the lead and put the game out of reach for the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs are now 2-3 on the year and will take a long road trip to Tennessee in order to play Freed Hardeman University in a 4-game set next weekend.

Prairie Wolves run away from Bulldogs

4 APR 2009

The Concordia University baseball team dropped a high-scoring slugfest of 17-11 to the Nebraska Wesleyan Prairie Wolves at Sherman Field in Lincoln, Neb., Thursday afternoon.

Nebraska Wesleyan touched Concordia starter Jacob Yurich for seven runs on five hits in his inning and a third of work which proved to be too much for the Bulldogs to overcome. Junior right fielder Nate Schmoll put the Bulldogs on the board with a third-inning grand slam to cut the Prairie Wolves lead to 9-4. The two teams matched run-scoring capabilities for the remainder of the game.

The closest Concordia would come was down four, 15-11 in the bottom of the seventh. With none out in the inning, Concordia had runners on first and second but failed to get the key hit that would have closed the gap.

Yurich was tagged with the loss for the Bulldogs on the mound while Nebraska Wesleyan's Zane Cascini picked up his first win of the season throwing five and two-thirds innings, giving up eight runs (all earned) on 11 hits.

Schmoll led the Concordia offense going 3-for-6 with four RBIs and three runs scored. Freshmen Jamie Dillard and Morgan Blatnik each went 3-for-5.

The loss drops the Bulldogs to 2-6 overall with a doubleheader scheduled with York College on Friday, March 6, in York, Neb.

Concordia takes loss to No. 13 Bellevue

17 MAR 2009

The Concordia University baseball team gave the No. 13 Bellevue University Bruins all they wanted in a mid-week matchup before falling 6-4 at Plum Creek Park in Seward, Neb., Tuesday evening.

Bellevue got on the scoreboard first in the top of the third inning. The Bruins loaded the bases off of singles by Matty Johnson and Jake Jadlowski and a hit batter, Matt Goodro.  A sacrifice fly to center field brought Johnson home. A bases-clearing triple by Louie Templeton then brought in Jadlowski and Goodro. Templeton later scored on a single by Brett Chamberlin. Concordia’s starting pitcher, Jacob Yurich, would then end the inning by getting the Bruins to pop out twice. 

Concordia answered with a run when Morgan Blatnik, on base due to a fielder's choice call, was walked home. Blatnik had moved to third because of a single by Nate Schmoll. Schmoll stole second as the throw by Bellevue’s Chamberlin sailed into centerfield, but would not reach home. Bellevue added runs in the fifth and ninth innings on doubles by Drew Farley.

The Bulldogs had their chances to tie the game. In the seventh inning, Nate Comes and Zach Goodrich drew walks and were driven in by Rodriguez and Nate Schmoll. Concordia, however, would leave Rodriguez stranded Rodriguez. Jack Holmberg then started the bottom of the eighth inning with a triple to right center and scored when Kevin Poppe grounded out to the shortstop. Joe Bercerra reignited the Bulldog offense with a single, but Concordia failed to bring him in. The Bulldogs would put the tying runs on base in the bottom of the ninth and brought the winning run to the plate, but Bellevue’s ninth pitcher of the afternoon, Chris Williamson, forced Holmberg into a lazy fly ball to center field to end the threat.

Yurich went the distance for the Bulldogs on the hill, giving up six runs (all earned) on 12 hits while walking three and hitting four Bruins. Bellevue’s Kyle Wink picked up the victory for the Bruins. With the loss Concordia drops to 4-14 overall with the GPAC regular season starting this weekend as Concordia hosts the University of Sioux Falls for a Saturday double header, and Mount Marty College for a Sunday double header.

Cougars out slug Bulldogs to open GPAC play

21 MAR 2009

The Concordia University baseball team dropped a tough double header to the University of Sioux Falls Cougars to kick off their 2009 GPAC baseball season at Plum Creek Park in Seward, Neb. Saturday afternoon. Sioux Falls held off the Bulldogs for a 13-11 game one victory before cruising in game two 12-4.

With the Bulldogs leading 4-2 going into the top of the fifth of game one, Sioux Falls struck for eight runs, chasing Concordia starter John Couch from the game. The Bulldogs were able to push across seven runs in the final three innings but were never able to close the gap against the Cougars.

Couch was tabbed with the loss for the Bulldogs to push his record to 2-2, while Jordan Ahrendt picked up the win for the Cougars as Brandon Compton earned the save for Sioux Falls.

Game two was in the Cougar's control from the outset, touching up starter Jacob Shaffer for six runs (all earned) on six hits as Sioux Falls cruised to the 12-4 victory. Jamie Dillard led the Bulldog offense going 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI.

Shaffer was tagged with the loss for Concordia to run his record to 0-4, while Tom Murtha earned the win for Sioux Falls.

With the losses Concordia is now 4-16 overall and 0-2 in the GPAC, while Sioux Falls moves to 7-4 overall and 4-0 in the GPAC.

Bulldogs can't hold off Lancers

22 MAR 2009

The Concordia University baseball team's failure to hold a lead was never more evident than in the back-to-back losses Sunday afternoon to the Mount Marty College Lancers at Plum Creek Park in Seward, Neb. Mt. Marty earned a 13-10 comeback win in game one and then scored four runs in their final at bat for an 8-6 game two victory.

In game one Mount Marty started the scoring early with three runs in the top of the first, but Concordia responded with five runs on home runs by Jamie Dillard and Joe Becerra. The Bulldogs would hold a 9-3 lead heading into the top of the fifth inning, when the Lancers scored two runs, then added six in the sixth and another two in the seventh to take the 13-10 victory.

Dillard led the Bulldogs' offense going 4-for-4 with six RBI's.  Morgan Blatnik, Zach Goodrich, and Joe Becerra all had multiple hits for the Concordia offense in game one.

Reliever Josh Anderson was tagged with the loss for the Bulldogs, coming in with the lead and giving it up after facing three batters and allowing earned three runs.

Concordia looked to be in control in game two leading 5-2 heading into the fifth when trouble struck again. Mt. Marty scored six unanswered runs to take an 8-5 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh inning. Concordia pushed a run across after Mt. Marty short stop Jason Livermont's throw sailed wide of the bag, but the Lancers' Jason Schmidt struck out Zach Goodrich with runners on first and third to end the game.

Steven Ivanoff picked up the loss on the hill for Concordia,, surrendering eight runs (all earned) on 11 hits while striking out five. Ivanoff's pitching record now sits at 2-4 for the 2009 campaign.

With the loss Concordia falls to 4-18 overall and 0-4 in the GPAC, while Mt. Marty moves to 14-10 overall and 4-0 in the GPAC.

Next action for the Bulldogs comes March 24 as Concordia travels to Peru, Neb. to take on Peru State in one nine inning contest; first pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Chargers sweep Bulldogs

28 MAR 2009

The Concordia University baseball team dropped a pair of nail-bitters over this past weekend to the Briar Cliff University Chargers in Sioux City, Iowa. Briar Cliff took game one, 6-4, before taking game two, 8-6.

In game one the Chargers used a four-run sixth inning to roar back from a 3-2 deficit. Concordia added a run in the top of the seventh but failed to close the gap, falling 6-4. BJ Swearer led the Bulldog offense going 2-for-2 with a double and an RBI. Nate Comes also went 2-for-2 with an RBI for Concordia in game one. Jacob Yurich was tagged with the loss for the Bulldogs on the mound, dropping his record to 0-3.

Game two saw the Bulldog offense surge to a four-run second inning but Concordia was unable to keep the Chargers from scoring, dropping game two 8-6. Jack Holmberg led the Bulldogs going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI while also scoring a run. Casey Rodriguez and Morgan Blatnik each had multiple hits in game two. Steven Ivanoff went 3 2-3 innings giving up five runs (all earned) on seven hits to take the loss for Concordia. Ivanoff is now 2-5 during the 2009 season.

With the losses Concordia falls to 4-20 overall and 0-6 in the GPAC while Briar Cliff moves to 11-15 overall and 3-3 in the GPAC.

Next action for the Bulldogs comes Monday, March 30, as Concordia travels to Peru, Neb., to take on the Peru State Bobcats in a 1 p.m. doubleheader.

Bulldogs' momentum runs out against York

1 APR 2009

The Concordia University baseball team rattled the bats for 20 runs earlier in the week, but couldn't manage much offense Wednesday night in a 7-1 defeat at the hands of the York College Panthers at Memorial Field in Plum Creek Park in Seward, Neb.

With the game tied 0-0, York led off the top of the third inning with a single by its nine-hole hitter, Ryan Stuckey. Adam Janky then reached on a bunt single when he was able to place the ball in the dead area between first and second.  York's Jered Barrier tried a bunt of his own, attempting to lay down a sacrifice bunt with two runners on. Concordia's Caleb Taylor fielded the ball, but his throw to first skipped into right field, allowing a run to score. York added two more runs in the third to give the Panthers a 3-0 advantage.

In the top of the fourth inning York added another pair of runs, pushing lead to 5-0 before Concordia was able to get on the scoreboard. The Bulldogs' Joe Bercerra singled to bring in Casey Rodriguez who led off the fifth inning with a single. Concordia would fail to push anymore runs across.

Taylor threw 3 2-3 innings and was tagged with the loss for the Bulldogs, giving up five runs (two earned) on six hits and four walks. Taylor is now 0-3 for the 2009 season.

With the loss the Bulldogs drop to 5-21 overall while York moves to 17-13 overall. Next action for Concordia comes Friday, April 3, as the Bulldogs travel to Blair, Neb., to take on the Dana College Vikings.

Bulldogs earn split with Vikings

3 APR 2009

The Concordia University baseball team earned a dramatic 5-4 extra- inning victory before falling 9-8 in a Friday afternoon doubleheader with GPAC foe Dana College at Vets Field in Blair, Neb.

In game one the two teams needed ten innings to settle the game.  In the top of the tenth with the score tied 4-4, nine-hole hitter Ben Placzek led off with a single. Placzek moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by leadoff hitter Morgan Blatnik. Placzek then scored when fellow freshman outfielder Zach Goodrich singled through the box, and the Dana centerfielder bobbled the ball. In the bottom of the tenth, Peyton McLachlan got the heart of the Viking lineup to go down without a fight with only one runner reaching base via an error.

Concordia reliever Josh Anderson picked up the win throwing three complete innings and  giving up just two hits and no runs. McLachlan picked up the save, his first of the 2009 season, throwing two complete innings, allowing no hits, no runs and striking out two. Placzek, Blatnik and Goodrich, along with Jamie Dillard and Jack Holmberg, all had multiple hits in game one to lead the Concordia offense.

Game two saw the Bulldogs take an 8-4 lead into the sixth inning on the strength of a big fourth inning in which Concordia scored five runs and a strong fifth inning in which the Bulldogs pushed across another pair of runs. The fortunes changed in the bottom of the sixth when errors and walks led to the Vikings scoring five to take a 9-8 lead. In the top of the seventh, the Bulldogs again got a leadoff single from Placzek; this time, however, he was taken off the base paths when Blatnik reached on a fielder's choice, and the Vikings retired Placzek at second. The next two Concordia batters failed to connect, ending the hopes of the Bulldogs for their first sweep of the season.

Steven Ivanoff was tagged with the loss for the Bulldogs, throwing 5 1-3 innings and giving up eight hits and seven runs although just one of the runs was earned.

Bulldogs finish weekend on high note

4 APR 2009

The Concordia University baseball team finished the weekend on a high note after splitting with one of the top teams in the GPAC, Nebraska Wesleyan, Saturday at NWU field in Lincoln, Neb. The Prairie Wolves took game one 9-5 with Concordia taking game two 4-2.

In game one the Prairie Wolves scored six runs in the first two innings on seven hits and just one Concordia.  The Nebraska Wesleyan starter Josh Ostrom was able to hold off the Concordia offense while his offense added some insurance for him. Ostrom threw a complete game, scattering eight hits and giving up five runs (three earned). The Bulldogs were led offensively by freshman leadoff hitter Morgan Blatnik, who went 3-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI. John Couch was tagged with the loss for the Bulldogs running his record to 3-3 on the 2009 season.

Game two brought a change of fortunes for the Bulldogs, who have struggled closing out games. Jamie Dillard's seventh home run of the season gave the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning. The Prairie Wolves threatened in the bottom of the third, but with one run already scored and the bases still loaded, Concordia starter Peyton McLachlan got the Nebraska Wesleyan hitter to ground into a 6-4-3 inning-ending double play. The Bulldogs would add runs in the fifth and six innings with the Prairie Wolves cutting into the Concordia lead with a run in the bottom of the sixth.

Concordia closer Nate Comes came in to shut out the game in the seventh but not without adding some drama to the situation having to face the heart of the Nebraska Wesleyan lineup. Leadoff hitter Josh Ostrom reached base with a single to right field but failed to advance when the next hitter flew out to right field. Ostrom moved to second when Max Hubka singled through the right side of the infield. The bases were suddenly full of Prairie Wolves when Comes hit Dan Beckman with still just one out. Comes then was able to induce a game-ending double play, getting Griffin DePriest to hit a bouncer right back to Comes. Comes then threw home, and Joe Bercerra's throw to first was in time to complete the double play.

McLachlan picked up the win for the Bulldogs in game two, throwing 5 1-3 innings, giving up two runs (both earned) on six hits while striking out three. Comes picked up the save for the Bulldogs who are now 7-22 overall and 2-9 in the GPAC. The Bulldogs now need just one more win to surpass their 2008 win total of eight with 16 games remaining on the schedule.

Next action for the Bulldogs comes Tuesday, April 7 as Concordia will travel to Orange City, Iowa, to take on the Northwestern College Red Raiders in a double header scheduled to start at 5 p.m.

Blatnik honored by GPAC

7 APR 2009

Concordia second baseman Morgan Blatnik is the Hauff Mid-America Sports Baseball Player-of-the-Week.  Blatnik, a freshman from Littleton, Colorado, hit .607 on the week with a slugging average of .929.  Over six games he totaled eight runs scored with five extra base hits.  The Bulldogs were 7-23 entering the week.

Ivanhoff spurs Bulldogs to split

7 APR 2009

The Concordia University baseball team split its doubleheader with the Northwestern College Red Raiders Tuesday at Sioux City North High School in Sioux City, Iowa. The Bulldogs were outslugged 9-0 in a game-one loss and would bounce back with a 3-1 victory in game two.

In game one the Bulldog offense was held in check, registering only two base hits and never moving any base runner past second base. The Red Raiders, on the other hand, pounded out nine runs on eight hits to cruise to the victory. Caleb Taylor was given the loss, running his 2009 record to 0-4.

Game two looked to be another hot start for the Red Raiders when their leadoff hitter tripled in the bottom of the first and then scored when the next batter grounded out to second. The Red Raiders offense was throttled, however, for the remainder of the game as Concordia starter Steven Ivanoff only allowed two more runners into scoring position.

Jack Holmberg, on third after hitting a single, tied the game at 1-1 for the Bulldogs in the second inning when runners advanced on a wild pitch. Morgan Blatnik added more firepower in the third inning when he hit a double and advanced to third after Zach Goodrich grounded out. Blatnik scored when Casey Rodriguez's pop-up to left field was misplayed, allowing Blatnik to come home and Rodriguez to cruise into second. The Bulldogs would add an insurance run in the top of the seventh.

Ivanoff cruised through seven complete innings, giving up just one run (earned) on four hits and striking out four while issuing no walks. Comes led the Bulldog offense, going 3-for-3 with two singles, a double and a run scored.

With the split the Bulldogs move to 8-24 overall and 3-9 in the GPAC while Northwestern is now 14-16 overall and 3-9 in the GPAC. Next action for the Bulldogs comes on Friday, April 10 with a double header against rival Doane College in Crete, Neb.

Concordia, Doane split in Crete

10 APR 2009

The Concordia University baseball team picked up a split with rival Doane College Friday afternoon at Ledon Field in Crete, Neb. The Bulldogs won game one 6-3 before falling 12-3 in game two.

In game one the Bulldogs reeled off six runs in two and a half innings to jump out to a 6-0 lead and were able to hold on as the Tigers threatened in the last three innings. Zach Goodrich led the Bulldog offense in game one, going 3-for-3 with three RBIs while Jack Holmberg and Ben Placzek each registered multiple hits in game one. Jacob Yurich picked up the win for the Bulldogs on the mound, his first of the 2009 season, to push his record to 1-3 overall.

Game two was a different story for the Bulldogs as Doane rattled off 13 runs on 17 hits to down Concordia. The Bulldog offense was held in check, scoring just three runs on three hits for the game. Peyton McLachlan took the loss for the Bulldogs on the mound, throwing  2 1-3 innings and giving up nine runs (eight earned) on seven hits.

Game 1 Box / Game 2 Box

Big innings by Tigers doom Bulldogs

11 APR 2009

The Concordia University baseball team dropped a pair of games to the Dakota Wesleyan Tigers at Plum Creek Park in Seward, Neb., Saturday afternoon. Dakota Wesleyan won game one 9-4 before taking game two 12-0 in five innings.

The Bulldog offense was held in check all afternoon as Concordia registered just 14 hits compared to 21 hits for DWU. John Couch took the loss on the mound for the Bulldogs in game one. Couch threw  4 2-3 innings, giving up nine runs (all earned) on nine hits. Jamie Dillard led the Bulldog offense going 1-for-3 with a three-run home run in the bottom of the seventh.

Game two was out of hand before the second out had been registered defensively by the Bulldogs as DWU jumped to a 7-0 lead in the top of the first inning. The Tigers cruised to a 12-0 victory in a game shortened to five innings due to the run rule. Steven Ivanoff was saddled with the loss for the Bulldogs, throwing 2 1-3 innings, giving up 12 runs (10 earned) on nine hits.

The next action for the Bulldogs comes Tuesday, April 14, as Concordia welcomes the Tigers of Doane College for a contest set to begin at 7 p.m. at Plum Creek Park in Seward, Neb.

Concordia tops Doane in non-conference matchup

14 APR 2009

The Concordia University baseball team weathered a tough test in a 9-5 victory over the Doane College Tigers Tuesday night in non-conference action at Plum Creek Park in Seward, Neb.

Doane struck early as the first three batters all rattled off singles, scoring one run. The Bulldogs avoided further damage when Concordia's starting pitcher, Caleb Taylor, was able to get Doane's Tyler Johnson to ground into a double play.

The Bulldogs finally got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth inning when Jack Holmberg ripped a one-out triple into the right-center field gap. Holmberg scored when Nate Comes sent a sacrifice fly to center field, tying the game 1-1.

The Bulldogs would move ahead of the Tigers in the fifth inning. Joe Bercerra got a three-run rally started for Concordia with a ringing single to right field. The Bulldogs eventually took the lead 2-1 when Morgan Blatnik sent a slow grounder toward the Doane shortstop who failed to throw home in time to beat Bulldogs' runner coming in from third. The Bulldogs increased their lead to 4-1 when Casey Rodriguez' single allowed two more runs to score. 

Doane began a rally of its own in the top of the sixth inning when the Tigers' second baseman reached base via an error on the Bulldogs. Anthony Hincy followed that up with a single. Concordia then found the bases full of Tigers when Tyler Johnson reached on another error by Concordia. Taylor settled down enough to strike out the next two Doane hitters. The Bulldogs' hurler looked like he was escaping the inning with minimal damage, but Doane's Jason West put an end to those hopes. West ripped a full-count pitch into right field, scoring Doane's runners from second and third. Johnson was cut down trying to score all the way from first when Concordia shortstop Casey Rodriguez took a throw from Comes and threw home, beating Johnson to the plate by four steps. The out kept Concordia's lead intact at 4-3.

Concordia seemed ready to put the game out of reach in the bottom of the eighth inning, scoring five runs on five hits. Doane decided to make the game interesting in the top of the ninth, however, scoring two quick runs to cut the Concordia lead to 9-5. The Tigers then loaded the bases with two outs and brought the tying run to the plate in the form of Hincy. The Doane shortstop then fought out three full-count pitches to add to the drama. Finally Concordia pitcher Jacob Yurich was able to get Hincy to send a lazy fly ball into right field to end the game.

Taylor picked up his first win of the season, moving his record to 1-4 in 2009. Taylor threw five complete innings, giving up three runs (one earned) on five hits in his best outing of the season. Yurich picked up his first save of 2009 in his brief appearance in the ninth inning. Jacob Bartek was given the loss for the Tigers.  He went five complete innings, giving up four runs (all earned) on five hits.

With the win the Bulldogs move to 10-27 overall while Doane falls to 13-24. Concordia will host Dordt College on Friday, April 17, and Morningside on Saturday, April 18. Saturday's game against Morningside is designated as senior day for the Bulldogs with the first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.

Bulldogs sweep away Defenders

19 APR 2009

The Concordia University baseball team had its best outing of the 2009 season in a sweep of the Dordt College Defenders Saturday night in GPAC action at Plum Creek Park in Seward, Neb. Concordia won game one 14-0 in five innings before taking game two 7-4.

Game one was out of hand following a third inning rally in which the Bulldogs registered seven hits, scoring 11 runs. Concordia added three more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to push their advantage to 14-0. Dordt's pitching staff hurt their team's chances often throughout the first game, walking 10 Concordia batters.

Concordia's starting pitcher, John Couch, cruised through five innings, giving up just six hits while striking out eight players. The win moves Couch to 4-4 in the 2009 season.

Game two brought more drama than game one, with the outcome in doubt until the final out was recorded. Dordt struck early when Travis Feekes led off the game with a single, stole second, and then scored on an infield hit. That would be the only run the Defenders would score in the first, leaving the bases loaded.

Concordia answered with two runs in the bottom of the first. Concordia loaded the bases when the first three batters reached via two walks and a single, setting the table for Jamie Dillard to hit a towering sacrifice fly to right field. Concordia's second run of the inning came when Jack Holmberg beat out a potential double play ball, allowing Zach Goodrich to score from third. The Bulldogs added another run in the bottom of the second on a RBI double by Joe Bercerra.

The Bulldogs surrendered the lead in the top of the third with two bases-loaded walks. Luckily Concordia avoided further damage in the inning when Steven Ivanoff struck out Feekes on a full-count pitch with the bases loaded.

Concordia trailed 4-3 heading into the bottom of the sixth when the Bulldog offense clicked back into gear. Casey Rodriguez led off the inning with a single to left field. Jamie Dillard then put the Bulldogs back in front when he sent a towering homerun over the left field fence. Concordia went on to score four runs on six hits to give them a comfortable 7-4 lead heading into the seventh inning. Jacob Yurich came into the game to close the door on the Defenders, ending the game giving up just one hit in the inning.

Micah May earned the win for the Bulldogs, throwing two innings of relief work. May had one of his best outings of the season, giving up just one run on two hits. Yurich picked up his second save of the season in his inning of work in game two.

With the sweep the Bulldogs move to 12-27 overall and 6-12 in the GPAC while Dordt falls to 9-27 overall and 3-15 in the GPAC.

Bulldogs, Mustangs trade thrashings

18 APR 2009

The Concordia University Bulldogs and the Morningside College Mustangs traded 10-run thrashings in a GPAC baseball doubleheader Sunday afternoon in Seward, Neb. Concordia took game one 11-1 with Morningside taking game two 10-0. Both games were shortened due to the 10-run mercy rule.

Nate Comes got the Bulldog offense kick started in game one with a two-out, two-run home run to right field in the bottom of the second. Up 2-0 in the bottom of the third inning, the Bulldogs hung five runs on the scoreboard to jump out to a 7-0 lead. Morningside added a run in the top of the sixth, but Concordia responded with four runs on four hits to end the game, 11-1.

Comes finished game one going 2-for-3 with a homerun and four RBIs. Zach Goodrich also had a strong first game finishing 4-for-5 with two RBIs. Jacob Yurich picked up the win for the Bulldogs on the mound. Yurich threw a complete game, giving up three hits, one run (earned), and one walk.

Game two saw the Mustangs jump out to a 6-0 lead in the top of the first inning to take the wind out of the Bulldogs' sails. Morningside added four more runs in the top of the fourth inning to put the Bulldogs away. Concordia offense went cold in game two, pounding out just three hits in the game.

Caleb Taylor was given the loss for the Bulldogs, throwing just 2-3 of an inning. Taylor gave up six runs (none earned) on two hits while walking three.

With the split Concordia is now 13-28 overall and 7-13 in the GPAC while Morningside moves to 29-20 overall and 12-8 in the GPAC.

Bruins thrash Bulldogs

20 APR 2009

The Concordia University Bulldogs lost to the Bellevue University Bruins 40-5 Monday afternoon at Westgate Field in Omaha, Neb.

Freshman Connor Holzkamp earned the loss, giving up 11 runs (nine earned) on seven hits. The Concordia offense was held to just six hits in a game shortened to seven innings due to the mercy run rule.

The next action for the Bulldogs comes Thursday, April 23, as Concordia has their final home game of the 2009 season. The Bulldogs will take on the Midland Lutheran College Warriors at Plum Creek Park in Seward, Neb., at 4:30 p.m.

Bulldogs wrap up 2009 season

23-25 APR 2009

After winning four of their last six games, the Concordia University baseball team dropped three of their last four to finish the 2009 season in 11^th place in the GPAC.

Concordia began the weekend with a split with the Midland Lutheran College Warriors in the Bulldogs final home contest of the season. Game one quickly took a turn in the Warriors' favor, taking a 9-0 lead after the top of the second inning. At one point in the second game, the Warriors led 15-1 before the Bulldogs put four runs on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth. It was too little to late, as the game was ended because of the ten run mercy rule, 15-5.

John Couch lost his fifth game of the season on the mound for the Bulldogs. Couch threw three complete innings, giving up 11 runs (six earned) on ten hits.

Game two saw a turn in the fortunes of the Bulldogs.  Concordia was a base hit shy of ending the game in the same fashion the Warriors had in game one. Leading 12-4 with runners on second and third in the bottom of the fifth, Concordia just needed to score the two base runners to end the game, but Jamie Dillard was retired to.

Midland made the best of its second chance, scoring five runs on three hits to cut Concordia's advantage to three runs. In the top of the seventh, the Warriors brought the tying run to the plate three times after a lead off walk and error by the Bulldogs put two Midland runners on. Steven Ivanoff settled down enough to induce a ground ball, an infield pop up, and a strike out to escape the inning unscathed. Ivanoff earned his second save of the season in the 12-9 Concordia victory in game two, as Jacob Yurich evened his record to 3-3 with the win.

The Bulldogs took Friday to recover before heading to Hastings, Neb. to take on the Hastings College Broncos in the final double action of the season. Hastings took game one 6-2 before narrowly defeating the Bulldogs 2-1 in game two.

In game one four Bulldogs combined to go 8-of-14 but the remaining five hitters in the starting lineup were 1-of-15. Concordia failed to get the offense on track but the Broncos were able to push across five runs (all earned) with seven hits on starting pitcher Caleb Taylor. Hastings starter Alex Kucera scattered the Bulldogs nine hits through seven innings while stranding 11 Concordia runners on base to earn the win.

Steven Ivanoff returned to starting action for game two and threw a gem but was out dueled by four Hastings pitchers. The Bulldog offense was able to register seven hits in game two but only able to push across one run. Ivanoff was the tough luck recipient of the loss in game two, throwing 5 2-3 innings giving up just four hits and two runs (both earned). Concordia had jumped out to a 1-0 lead with a triple by Joe Bercerra and an RBI single by Nate Schmoll.

Hastings was able to come back to tie the game, 1-1, with a triple and sacrifice fly and took the lead in the bottom of the sixth. A one out double by Geoff Hobbs lead to the game winning run when Hobbs scored on a single by Sonny Houghy, and Concordia was shut down 1-2-3 in the top of the seventh.

Concordia ends the 2009 season 14-32 overall and 8-16 in the GPAC and with a host of young talent returning the Bulldogs look to 2010 with optimism.

Bulldogs earn GPAC honors

4 MAY 2009

Jack Holmberg and Jamie Dillard were named to the 2009 GPAC All-conference team while Morgan Blatnik, Zach Goodrich, Casey Rodriguez and Jacob Yurich all earning honorable mention status. Holmberg a senior from Westcliffe, Colo. finished the 2009 season hitting .338 with 21 extra base hits including nine home runs and 33 RBI while Dillard a freshman from Tucson, Ariz. finished the season with a .356 batting average, while also slugging 21 extra base hits. Dillard and Holmberg finished the season tied for the Concordia lead in homeruns with nine, Dillard led the team in RBI's with 41.