2013 - Baseball schedule/results

13-26 overall, 6-14 GPAC - Season Stats

FEBRUARY
	Feb. 16	Bethany College (Kan.) (2)	Lindsborg, Kan.	L, 2-5 L, 0-10
	Feb. 17	Bethany College (Kan.) (2)	Lindsborg, Kan.	L, 4-7 L, 2-10
	Feb. 22	MidAmerica Nazarene Univ. (Kan.) (2)	Olathe, Kan.	Canceled
	Feb. 23	MidAmerica Nazarene Univ. (Kan.) (2)	Olathe, Kan.	Canceled
	Feb. 26	Manhattan Christian College (Kan.) (2)	Manhattan, Kan.	Canceled
MARCH
	March 1	Oklahoma Wesleyan University (1x9)	Bartlesville, Okla.	W, 7-2
	March 2	Oklahoma Wesleyan University (2)	Bartlesville, Okla.	L, 2-3 W, 5-2
	March 5	York College (2)	Seward, Neb.	Canceled
	March 9	Trinity Christian College (Ill.) (2)	Leesburg, Fla.	W, 5-4 (9 inn.) L, 1-6
	March 10	Saint Xavier University (Ill.) (2)	Winter Haven, Fla.	W, 8-5 L, 4-5
	March 14	University of Illinois-Springfield (1x9)	Lakeland, Fla.	W, 20-1
	March 15	Southeastern University (Fla.) (2)	Lakeland, Fla.	L, 1-9 W, 3-2
	March 16	Southeastern University (Fla.) (1x9)	Lakeland, Fla.	L, 3-5
	March 23	Dakota State University (2)	Seward, Neb.	Canceled
	March 24	Dakota State University (2)	Seward, Neb.	Canceled
	March 27	(23) Sterling College (Kan.) (2)	Sterling, Kan.	W, 4-0 L, 3-10
	March 29	Nebraska Wesleyan University* (2)	Lincoln, Neb.	W, 5-4 L, 0-4
	March 30	Hastings College* (2)	Hastings, Neb.	L, 0-1 W, 3-2
APRIL
	April 2	(20) York College (1x9)	York, Neb.	L, 3-18
	April 6	Briar Cliff University* (2)	Sioux City, Iowa	L, 5-11 W, 5-0
	April 7	Dakota Wesleyan University* (2)	Mitchell, S.D.	L, 2-8 L, 5-9
	April 13	Dordt College* (2)	Seward, Neb.	L, 3-4 W, 6-5
	April 14	Mount Marty College* (2)	Seward, Neb.	W, 7-6 (8 inn.) L, 9-10
	April 16	(14) York College (1x9)	York, Neb.	L, 1-5
	April 20	Northwestern College* (2)	Seward, Neb.	L, 1-2 L, 0-4
	April 21	Morningside College* (2)	Seward, Neb.	L, 4-8 L, 1-5
	April 25	Doane College* (2) SENIOR DAY	Seward, Neb.	L, 5-6 L, 1-11
	April 26	Midland University* (2)	Fremont, Neb.	L, 0-1 W, 11-6
MAY
GPAC Tournament: May 2-4 at Hastings, Neb.

*Indicates Great Plains Athletic Conference Games
% vs. GPAC Tournament

All Home Games in BOLD

2013 Roster

No.	Name	B/T	Pos.	Ht.	Yr.	Hometown
1	Joe Brandenburg	L/R	OF/RHP	5-11	Sr.	Waconia, Minn.
2	Sean McCartney	R/R	C	5-10	So.	Greeley, Colo.
3	Kyle Ivanoff	R/R	SS	5-11	Sr.	Tucson, Ariz.
4	Tyler Harris	R/R	3B	6-1	Fr.	Valrico, Fla.
6	Luke Parish-Ward	L/L	LHP	5-11	Jr.	Tucson, Ariz.
7	Ryan Lane	L/R	1B	6-1	Jr.	Mayer, Minn.
8	Taylor Dudley	R/R	OF	6-0	Fr.	Longmont, Colo.
9	Zach Gulley	R/R	OF	5-8	Jr.	Chandler, Ariz.
10	Andrew Yerrell	R/R	2B	5-9	So.	Santa Fe, Texas
11	Miles Barrow	R/R	OF	5-9	Sr.	Yamhill, Ore.
12	Heath Benker	R/R	RHP	6-1	Jr.	Florence, Colo.
13	Zach Cambier	R/R	C/1B	6-1	So.	Castle Rock, Colo.
14	Erik Ellison	L/R	OF	6-3	Jr.	Bennington, Neb.
15	John Jay Silva	L/L	LHP	6-2	So.	Thornton, Colo.
16	Daniel Wilkerson	R/R	OF	5-9	So.	Santa Fe, Texas
17	Nolan Schaefer	R/R	DH	6-1	Sr.	Lincoln, Neb.
18	Erik Andrews	R/R	OF	6-1	So.	Loveland, Colo.
19	Edwin Izumigawa	R/R	RHP	6-0	So.	Pearl City, Hawaii
20	Nick Thill	R/R	RHP	6-0	Sr.	Littleton, Colo.
21	Alex Cargin	R/R	SS/2B	5-9	Fr.	Leawood, Kan.
22	Cameron Dressen	R/R	OF	5-8	Jr.	Carver, Minn.
23	Nathan Radic	R/R	1B	6-1	So.	Parker, Colo.
24	Matt Chambers	L/L	LHP	5-11	Sr.	Lakewood, Wash.
25	Mark Wilcox	L/R	2B/SS	5-10	So.	Seward, Neb.
27	Camaren Gause	R/R	OF	6-1	Jr.	Tucson, Ariz.
28	Jeremiah Luber	R/R	RHP	6-0	Sr.	Waverly, Neb.
29	Ryan Dubberke	R/R	C	5-9	So.	Wildwood, Mo.
30	Ray Finley	R/R	C/DH	5-9	Sr.	Tucson, Ariz.
31	Jordan Ahl	R/R	RHP	6-3	Sr.	Fairbury, Neb.
32	Hayden Davis	R/R	C	5-7	Fr.	Lincoln, Neb.
33	Tim Fosmo	R/R	RHP	6-0	Jr.	Douglas, Wyo.
35	Micah Thiessen	R/R	3B	5-11	So.	Lincoln, Neb.
36	Jordan Stirtz	R/R	RHP	6-0	Sr.	Gretna, Neb.
37	A.J. Peterson	R/R	SS/RHP	5-6	Fr.	Tampa, Fla.
40	Kyle Godfrey	R/R	RHP	6-6	So.	Firestone, Colo.
41	Karl Rovey	R/R	RHP	6-0	Fr.	Springfield, Mo.
42	Cole Stuerke	R/R	SS/2B	6-0	So.	Lakewood, Colo.
43	Conner Pahl	R/R	RHP	5-9	Fr.	Diller, Neb.
44	Riley Kleven	R/R	OF	5-9	Fr.	Williston, N.D.
45	Spencer Sander	L/R	2B	5-10	So.	Jackson, Mo.
46	Tucker Epp	R/R	OF/RHP	6-1	So.	Blue Springs, Neb.
47	Thomas Beebe	L/R	OF	6-0	Fr.	Blair, Neb.
48	Tony Sinniger	L/R	2B	5-9	Fr.	Wayne, Neb.
49	Michael Purtell	R/R	RHP	5-8	Fr.	Valrico, Fla.
50	Zach Wessler	R/R	OF	5-11	Fr.	Springfield, Colo.
51	Ethan Utecht	R/R	2B/3B	5-11	So.	Valentine, Neb.
52	Mitch Walkup	R/R	C	5-9	Fr.	York, Neb.
53	James Hall	R/R	OF	5-8	Fr.	Polk, Neb.
54	Titus Utecht	R/R	RHP	5-10	Fr.	Valentine, Neb.
55	Mitch Kelly	R/R	RHP	5-9	Fr.	Castle Rock, Colo.
57	Zach Kollbaum	R/R	OF	5-11	So.	Cole Camp, Mo.
58	Travis Smith	R/R	OF	6-0	Fr.	Aurora, Colo.
59	Chris Spohn	R/R	M-INF	6-2	So.	Colorado Springs, Colo.
60	Cole Frisbie	L/R	1B	6-1	Fr.	Ft. Morgan, Colo.
--	Matt Godo	R/R	RHP/OF	5-8	Fr.	Ft. Morgan, Colo.
RS	Tyler Howard	R/R	OF	6-0	Fr.	Hayes Center, Neb.

2013 - Coaching staff

Head Coach: Jeremy Geidel

Assistant Coach: Rich Eber

Assistant Coach: John Couch

Assistant Coach: Zak Goodrich

Assistant Coach: Michael Moore

Concordia baseball lands at No. 7 in GPAC preseason poll

29 JAN 2013

Head coach Jeremy Geidel’s Bulldog baseball squad has been slotted seventh in the GPAC baseball preseason coaches’ poll, the league announced on Tuesday.

Coaches placed Concordia seventh in the preseason poll last season as well. The Bulldogs finished a notch higher, going 10-10 in league play as they tied for sixth place in 2012. Geidel led his team to a 25-28 overall mark.

While top hitter and first team all-conference honoree Zak Goodrich has graduated, the Bulldogs return 2012 second team All-GPAC standouts in catcher Ray Finley and third baseman Andrew Yerrell. Senior shortstop Kyle Ivanoff, who started all 53 games last season, provides steady play up the middle.

Doane, ranked No. 23 in the NAIA preseason national poll, earned seven of the 11 first-place votes and 96 total points to top the GPAC poll. The Tigers are aiming to defend their 2012 GPAC Championship. They are followed in the poll by Morningside (three first-place votes) and Northwestern.

Concordia will begin its season two weeks from Saturday when they begin a Kansas road trip and take on Bethany College in a doubleheader on Feb. 16. Conference play begins on March 29 when the Bulldogs take on Nebraska Wesleyan in Lincoln, Neb.

2013 GPAC baseball preseason coaches’ poll:
*First-place votes in parentheses

1. Doane – 96 (7)
2. Morningside – 90 (3)
3. Northwestern – 82
4. Mount Marty – 73 (1)
5. Nebraska Wesleyan – 59
6. Dakota Wesleyan – 58
7. Concordia – 41
8. Briar Cliff – 39
9. Hastings – 37
10. Midland – 19
11. Dordt – 11

2013 baseball season preview

14 FEB 2013

At a glance
2012 Record: 25-28 overall; 10-10 GPAC (T-6th)
Head Coach: Jeremy Geidel (16th year)
Record at School: 233-471 overall
Returning Starters: Heath Benker (P), Ray Finley (C), Kyle Godfrey (P), Kyle Ivanoff (SS), Jeremiah Luber (P), Jordan Stirtz (P), Daniel Wilkerson (RF), Andrew Yerrell (3B/DH)
Returning Letterwinners: See returning starters, andJordan Ahl (P), Sean McCartney (C), Miles Barrow (OF), Nolan Schaefer (DH), Nick Thill (P)
Key Losses: Zak Goodrich, Anthony Flores, Tate Bedwell, Steven Ivanoff, Josh Anderson
Key Newcomers: Cameren Gause (OF), Alex Cargin (2B), Tyler Harris (3B), Luke Parish-Ward (P)
2012 GPAC All-Conference: Zak Goodrich (first team); Ray Finley (second team); Andrew Yerrell (second team)
2012 GPAC Gold Glove Team: Martin Rodriguez (LF); Zak Goodrich (CF)

Outlook
A school record 25 victories in 2012 serves as the springboard upon which the 2013 Bulldog baseball team hopes to build upon. Head coach Jeremy Geidel enters his 16th season at the controls of a program with a clear upward trajectory. Concordia went from 14 wins in 2010 to 19 in 2011 and ultimately 25 in 2012.

A Bulldog club that Geidel praises for its work ethic is driven to take another step forward and outperform its seventh-place positioning in the preseason GPAC coaches’ poll.

“I think we’re moving in the right direction right now,” senior shortstop Kyle Ivanoff said. “Last year’s season was still building and we think we can build more on that season. We’re looking for a 30-plus win season this year. We all believe we can do it. I think that’s an achievable goal and we’re expecting nothing short of that this year.”

Considering eight of last season’s losses came by just a single run, the 30-win plateau could be in reach with Ivanoff leading a hard-working group of returnees. Geidel likes what he has seen this offseason from his mix of veterans and newcomers.

“You can go always look back at the end of the season and see about five, six or seven more games that were close that a mistake here or an at bat here cost us a game,” Geidel said. “We really felt that even though it was a good season for wins, there’s still some unfinished business to take care of. In the 2013 season we hope to expand on that win column because of the returners that we have and also the additions we have made.”

Ivanoff became a fixture in the lineup and at shortstop last season as he started all 53 games and finished second on the team with a .320 batting average. He will again be counted on to provide stability on the left side of the infield and to improve upon his .906 fielding percentage in 2012.

Ivanoff will be joined in the lineup by returning second team All-GPAC performers in catcher Ray Finley (.319 BA, 2 HR, 29 RBI) and third baseman Andrew Yerrell (.299, 24 RBI). This trio figures to be the heart of an offensive attack that ranked second in the GPAC in batting average in 2012.

“They’re obviously going to be the nucleus of our batting lineup,” Geidel said. “Last year we had some good successes in our hitting statistics. I think the reason we didn’t win 30-plus games were the strikeouts we had and also the lack of doubles. Those are the two major areas we’re looking at improving for this year.”

The Bulldogs will have to make these improvements without the services of Concordia’s 2011-12 Male Athlete of the Year Zak Goodrich, who finished third in the GPAC with a .390 batting average and was named the conference’s Gold Glove centerfielder.

Ivanoff knows it will difficult for one person to replace that kind of production. The good news is that newcomers such as outfield transfer Cameren Gause and freshmen in second baseman Alex Cargin and third basemen Tyler Harris look ready to provide immediate help.

“(Goodrich) was definitely a hard player to lose last year, but we have two great transfers coming in with Cam Gause and (left-handed pitcher) Luke Parish-Ward,” Ivanoff said. “We also have some great freshmen that came in as well – Tyler Harris and Alex Cargin, so I think we’ll have a lot of guys that will step up this year.”

Sophomore Daniel Wilkerson (.268, 2 HR, 19 RBI) hopes to pick up some of the slack in the outfield. He put up solid numbers in his freshman campaign and took to right field quickly despite a lack of experience at the position. He tied for the team lead in homers and ranked second with seven doubles.

The Bulldogs also figure to employ a formidable pitching staff in 2013. A group that finished third in the GPAC in ERA last season returns six of its top eight hurlers in terms of ERA from 2012. That list is headed by starters Kyle Godfrey (3-3, 3.14 ERA, 42.1 IP) and Jordan Stirtz (2-9, 3.37 ERA, 54.0 IP), who combined for 20 starts last year.

Geidel also expects good things from senior right-hander Jeremiah Luber (1-1, 2.05 ERA, 41.0 IP), who worked mostly out of the bullpen in 2012. The Waverly, Neb., product will move into a full-time starting role this season. His biggest strength is his command as evidenced by his mere 12 walks in 41 innings last year.

“I definitely think that’s going to be a strength,” Geidel said of his team’s pitching. “Coach (John) Couch does a great job preparing our pitching staff, getting them to be mentally tough on the mound. He’s also been working with them on their pitch counts and also on what pitches they are throwing. It’s a group we’re going to look to to keep us in the ballgame.”

The bullpen features right-handers Heath Benker (3-1, 2.47 ERA, 22.2 IP) and Jordan Ahl (1-0, 2.68 ERA, 15.2 IP) at the back end. Benker, a junior from Florence, Colo., will be counted on to step into the closer role vacated by Josh Anderson and shut the door on the opposition in the late innings.

With a solid pitching staff serving as the backbone, the Bulldogs enter 2013 optimistic that they can continue the recent upwardly trending win totals. The relatively low expectations outside the program mean little to this focused bunch.

“I really think being picked seventh in the conference is a good spot for us,” Geidel said. “We could go up and use that as motivation. We did lose a lot of seniors, but we feel good about the new guys coming in and the talent level of our returners. They’ve done a great job in development of their strength and conditioning, but also their skill level.”

Concordia begins its season on Saturday at 1 p.m. with a doubleheader at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kan. Geidel’s squad will also play MidAmerica Nazarene and Manhattan Christian in its Kansas tour before ending the month of February. The Bulldogs also look forward to a trip to Florida, where it will play games from March 9 – 16. The first conference doubleheader will take place March 29 at Nebraska Wesleyan.

“I think the guys are eager,” Geidel said. “This is a working group. They don’t talk a lot. They really get down to business. It’s been fun to coach them. The motivation is there internally.”

Bulldogs swept in season-opening doubleheader

16 FEB 2013

By Lukas Vigil, Sports Information Intern

LINDSBORG, Kan. – The Concordia Bulldog baseball team opened the 2013 season Saturday with a pair of losses to Bethany College in frigid Lindsborg, Kan. The Bulldogs dropped the first game 5-2 and then got shutout in the second, 10-0. Once the first game got going the temperature was at 35 degrees with a very strong wind, making playing conditions a challenge for both teams.

Senior Jeremiah Luber got the start for the Bulldogs in the first game pitching 4.1 innings while giving up four earned runs.

“I thought Jeremiah pitched very well, but we obviously didn't hit well enough to win,” head coach Jeremy Geidel said.

Sean McCartney led the way for the Bulldogs in the hits department with two, while both Kyle Ivanoff and Ray Finley each had a RBI.

Bethany College got a strong start from their ace Clayton Cozzitorto, who pitched six innings and gave up two earned runs and struck out five batters. The Bulldogs ultimately finished with two runs on six hits, while the Swedes finished with five runs on nine hits.

In the second game, the combination of solid pitching and timely hitting by the Swedes is what ultimately led to Bethany’s second victory of the day.

“Their pitcher did a good job keeping us off balance with his off speed. We took some good swings though. We didn't have many hits but we had a lot of hard hit balls right at people,” Geidel said.

Bethany’s Boston Draper pitched a complete game and had Concordia off balance all game, allowing the Bulldogs only two hits on the afternoon.

Joe Brandenburg struggled in his first start of the season giving up four earned runs in two innings of work. However Coach Geidel was pleased with his young bullpen that came in to help Brandenburg.

“Game two we let get away from us,” Geidel said. We did have a couple of bright spots. Some of our young pitchers got some work in and were able to get some outs for us.”

Concordia’s Zach Gulley and Camaren Gause both had a hit each while Bethany got a lot production from the bottom of its batting order. The No. 7 hitter Nicholas Ceccarelli and No. 8 hitter Daniel Hordo both had three hits and two RBIs, respectively.

Even though the Bulldogs dropped their first two games of the season, Geidel is confident his team will remain upbeat and bounce back on Sunday.

“We need to come back tomorrow and keep competing,” Geidel said. “We have to improve on the things we can control like our fielding and our pitch selection at the plate. We'll take a bit to look back and reflect and be ready to go.”

Bulldogs bounced in Sunday twin bill

17 FEB 2013

LINDSBORG, Kan. – Host Bethany College (Kan.) completed a weekend sweep of Concordia in a four-game set played out Saturday and Sunday in Lindsborg, Kan. The Swedes won by scores of 7-4 in game one and 10-2 in game two on Sunday. The Bulldogs dropped to 0-4 to open up the 2013 campaign.

In game one, Concordia jumped out to a 4-0 lead with a four-run second inning. Senior catcher Ray Finley got the scoring started with an RBI single to center to plate second baseman Andrew Yerrell. Two batters later freshman Tyler Harris doubled to left to score Finley. Left fielder Miles Barrow added a sacrifice fly while the other run came when Finley stole second base, allowing Cameren Gause to score.

On the mound, junior Luke Parish-Ward went 5.2 innings in his Bulldog debut. Parish-Ward, a native of Tucson, Ariz., transferred to Concordia from Eastern Arizona Community College. He gave up seven earned runs on 11 hits and a walk. He struck out three.

Bethany did most of its damage in the second inning when it sent nine batters to the plate as part of a five-run frame to take the lead. No. 3 hitter Jose Rodriguez came through with a 2-for-3 day at the plate with three RBIs, and Morgan Heiman tossed four innings to pick up the win.

“We got the four-run lead and then gave it right back,” head coach Jeremy Geidel said. “That was very disheartening. That was a big momentum shift. They scored a bunch of runs for a number of reasons. We had a couple errors that killed our momentum.”

Sunday’s game two played out similarly to Saturday’s game two when the Swedes breezed to a 10-0 victory. On Sunday Bethany scored in each of the first four innings, including a five-run fourth inning that busted open a 10-0 advantage. The Swedes tagged Concordia starting pitcher Kyle Godfrey for 10 hits and seven earned runs in 3.1 innings of work in the sophomore’s first start of the season.

“I tip my hat to Bethany,” Geidel said. “They are a much better team than last year. They came ready to play. You could tell they had a few games under their belt. That makes a difference.”

The Bulldogs got their only runs in the top of the seventh on RBI singles delivered by catcher Sean McCartney and Harris. Left fielder Zach Gulley scored one of the two runs and led Concordia with a 2-for-3 day at the plate.

The Bulldogs broke in several new position players in the opening weekend of action. Freshmen Alex Cargin and Tyler Harris and Gause, a junior from Tucson, Ariz., all saw action against Bethany. Gause started all four games in centerfield, while Harris got the nod at third base in both Sunday games and Cargin was positioned at second base in three of the four games.

“It was good to see. Our lineups were different for all four games,” Geidel said. “We got to see a lot of people in different situations. Gause played very well in the outfield. He had three hits (over the weekend) and also hit a lot of balls very hard.

“We had a lot of young pups out there. At one point today we only had one senior on the field. We’re still trying to figure out our best lineup.”

Concordia will continue play in the state of Kansas on Friday and Saturday with doubleheaders both days against MidAmerica Nazarene (1-5) of the Heart of America Athletic Conference. The first pitch is slated for 12 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Schedule changes are possible with inclement weather expected this week around the Midwest.

Friday doubleheader at MidAmerica Nazarene canceled

19 FEB 2013

Due to cold temperatures expected in Olathe, Kan., this weekend, the doubleheader originally scheduled for 12 p.m. on Friday at MidAmerica Nazarene University has been canceled. The doubleheader scheduled for Saturday has not been canceled. First pitch is set for 12 p.m.

Check back on ConcordiaBulldogs.com for any additional schedule changes throughout the season.

Weekend series at MNU wiped out by winter weather

21 FEB 2013

All four of Concordia baseball's games scheduled for Friday and Saturday at MidAmerica Nazarene University have now been canceled due to inclement weather. The games are unlikely to be rescheduled.

The Bulldogs' next games will be a doubleheader on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 1 p.m. in Manhattan, Kan., against Manhattan Christian College of the Midwest Christian Collegiate Conference. This doubleheader is also in doubt due to frigid forecasted temperatures. All cancelations will be updated on ConcordiaBulldogs.com.

Tuesday doubleheader at Manhattan Christian canceled

24 FEB 2013

Cold winter temperatures around the Midwest continue to wreak havoc on the Concordia baseball squad's early-season schedule. Tuesday's scheduled doubleheader at Manhattan Christian College (Kan.) has been canceled due to expected inclement weather. These games are unlikely to be made up.

The Bulldogs have now had three-consecutive doubleheaders wiped out by snow and cold winter weather. Head coach Jeremy Geidel's squad remains 0-4 on the season having played doubleheaders both on Feb. 16 and 17 at Bethany College (Kan.).

Concordia's next scheduled games are for Friday and Saturday at Oklahoma Wesleyan University in Bartlesville, Okla. Weather.com is forecasting high temperatures in the low- to mid-40s with a 10 percent chance of rain for both days.

ConcordiaBulldogs.com will continue to provide updates on schedule changes throughout the season.

UPDATED: Baseball weekend schedule altered

27 FEB 2013

Updated Feb. 28 at 1:15 p.m.

The Bulldogs will play a single game against Oklahoma Wesleyan at 11 a.m. on Friday and then a doubleheader versus the same opponent at 1 p.m. on Saturday. All three games will be played at Oklahoma Wesleyan in Bartlesville, Okla., as originally scheduled.

The Bulldogs were originally scheduled to challenge Oklahoma Wesleyan in doubleheaders on both Friday and Saturday in Shawnee, Okla.. Rough winter weather has already wiped out three of Concordia's doubleheaders scheduled in the state of Kansas. The Bulldogs have been idle since Feb. 17.

Home-opening doubleheader canceled

28 Feb 2013

Concordia baseball's scheduled home doubleheader with York for Tuesday, March 5 has been canceled due to unplayable conditions at Plum Creek Park. As a result, the Bulldogs will now play a doubleheader at York on April 16, instead of just a single game as originally scheduled.

Luber stymies Eagle bats as Bulldogs claim victory

01 MAR 2013

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. – After almost two weeks between games and after having three doubleheaders wiped out by cold and snowy winter weather, the Bulldogs finally got back to action on Friday. Behind starting pitcher Jeremiah Luber’s masterpiece, Concordia (1-4) snagged its first win of 2013 by knocking off Oklahoma Wesleyan (11-5) by a 7-2 score in Bartlesville, Okla.

“We pretty much re-started our season,” head coach Jeremy Geidel said. “When you take that long off, you’re basically re-opening your season. We kind of rebooted mentally and physically.”

Luber, a senior right-hander from Waverly, Neb., held the Eagles hitless through five innings. Oklahoma Wesleyan finally recorded its first hit when shortstop Mason Feeler singled to center to lead off the bottom of the sixth. Luber (1-1) tossed a nine-inning complete game in which he gave up five hits without a single walk. He struck out two and induced 17 fly outs and eight ground outs, while taking advantage of cold temperatures and a wind that blew in.

“He pitched a great game,” Geidel said. “He really pitched to his strengths. He kept the fastball down and was able to get his off-speed pitches over. He controlled the game and really had everything settled in.”

Luber got plenty of support from a Bulldog offensive attack headed by catcher Ray Finley. Finley clubbed a pair of two-run doubles, one in the third and one in the seventh, to provide his pitcher a nice cushion. Finley finished 3-for-5 on the day with four RBIs and a run to lead a lineup that pounded out 12 hits, 10 of which came off of Oklahoma Wesleyan starter Chad Backward (2-2).

“Ray had great at bats because he allowed things to come to him,” Geidel said. “He swung at pitches he could hit.”

Concordia took an early lead by picking up two runs in the top of the second inning. Singles by Camaren Gause, Finley and Tyler Harris loaded the bases with one out. Eric Ellison then knocked in Gause with a fielder’s choice grounder to second. First baseman Nolan Schaeffer followed with an RBI base hit to leftfield.

Finley cracked his first two-run double in the top of the third to break open a 4-0 lead. Harris proceeded with a single to center to send Finley racing to the plate for a 5-0 lead. Four innings later, Finley capped all scoring with his double to right field that brought home Gause and Kyle Ivanoff, putting the momentum back in Concordia’s favor after the Eagles’ two sixth-inning runs.

Gause (3-for-4), Harris (2-for-4) and Schaeffer (2-for-4) joined Finley in the hit parade. Gause, a native of Tucson, Ariz., settled into the cleanup spot for the second-straight game while starting for the fifth time in centerfield in his first season as a Bulldog.

The five Eagle hits were spread out amongst five different players. Outfielder Hunter Meyn and second baseman Jose Ruize posted an RBI apiece on the day.

Oklahoma Wesleyan entered the day with a four-game winning streak, including a three-game sweep of Hastings Feb. 23-24. The Eagles also were defeated in two out of three games against Doane Feb. 15-16. Oklahoma Wesleyan is a member of the NAIA’s Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference.

Concordia will challenge Oklahoma Wesleyan again on Saturday in a doubleheader set to begin at 12 p.m. in Bartlesville.

Concordia completes series win over Oklahoma Wesleyan

02 MAR 2013

BARTELSEVILLE, Okla. – Head coach Jeremy Geidel’s Bulldogs finished off a three-game weekend set with a doubleheader split against Oklahoma Wesleyan (12-6) on Saturday. After letting a lead slip away and falling 3-2 in game one on Saturday, Concordia rebounded with a 5-2 victory in game two as starting pitcher Luke Parish-Ward picked up his first win in a Bulldog uniform. Concordia (2-5) also defeated the Eagles in Friday’s single game.

“There’s a lot we can take from this weekend,” Geidel said. “From the Bethany weekend until now, we were a totally different ball club. We literally reset the season. That Bethany weekend basically motivated them to get after it.

“We went out to Bethany and didn’t play very well, but we were able to refocus. We took advantage of our two weeks and got here (to Bartlesville) and played well against a good team.”

Just like in Saturday’s game one loss, the Concordia offense took a while to get going in the night cap. After being held without a hit through five innings, the Bulldogs finally busted loose in the sixth inning with four runs. Pinch runner Miles Barrow got Concordia on the board when he sprinted home on a wild pitch. Kyle Ivanoff connected on an RBI double and Camaren Gause and Ray Finley both drove in runs with sacrifice flies in the frame for a 4-1 lead.

Parish-Ward, who went 5.1 innings and scattered 10 hits, gave way to reliever Tim Fosmo in the sixth, who got two key outs with runners on first and second to end the threat. Jordan Ahl then closed the game out in the seventh inning to pick up his first save of the season.

“The highlight was that we stayed in it. Luke gave us a chance and our pitching and defense kept us right there,” Geidel said. “In the sixth we got a couple people on base and we got some key hits. It was big for us just to be able to put the bat on the ball in that situation. We didn’t miss our opportunity.”

In game one, both starting pitchers cruised through the first three innings of play. Oklahoma Wesleyan hurler Zach Hendrix, who entered the game with a record of 4-0 with a 0.67 ERA, faced the minimum through three innings and did not allow a hit until Andrew Yerrell’s infield single to lead off the fourth. That got the ball rolling for the Bulldogs as catcher Ray Finley followed an RBI double to left. Concordia got one more run in the inning when Barrow scored from third after Kyle Ivanoff was caught attempting to steal second.

Hendrix then shut the door on the Bulldogs over the final three frames to pick up a complete-game victory. Hendrix trailed 2-1 until the bottom of the sixth when Oklahoma Wesleyan came up with the game-deciding two runs. After Brandenburg departed in the sixth with a man on first, the Eagles’ Cody Riley doubled home a run and Nick Palese then singled in the game-winning run.

The Bulldogs got a one-out double from Zach Gulley in the seventh and final inning but were unable to advance him as Tyler Harris struck out and Ryan Lane flied out to left to end the game.

Brandenburg went 5.1 innings and gave up two earned runs on six hits and one walk. He struck out two while getting a no decision.

Leadoff hitter Andrew Yerrell led the team in hitting on the day with a 3-for-7 effort that included two runs and one RBI.

With Tuesday’s (March 5) scheduled doubleheader already canceled due to poor playing conditions caused by unfavorable winter weather, the Bulldogs now look forward to their spring break trip to Florida. Concordia will play a total of nine games from March 9 – 16 in The Sunshine State.

Bulldogs split with Trinity Christian to begin Florida trip

09 MAR 2013

By Taylor Mueller, Sports Information Assistant

The Concordia baseball team finished the first day of its spring break trip to Florida with a 5-4 victory and a 6-1 loss in a doubleheader against Trinity Christian College (Ill.).

In an intense first game, the Bulldogs found themselves down 2-0 at the end of two innings. Two Bulldogs runs in the third inning even things back up until the sixth inning, when Concordia tacked on another two runs, putting them in front 4-2. Trinity answered the very next inning with two runs of their own to knot things back up at four apiece.

Finally, with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning and a man on third, junior outfielder Zach Gulley hit a grounder right at the third basemen, who muffed the ball, allowing the Bulldogs to score the game-winning run.

Senior Pitcher Jeremiah Luber pitched six solid innings, giving up just one earned run and surrendering five hits and two walks. After three pitching changes through the next two innings, freshman A.J. Peterson took the mound to shut out the Trolls and claim the win for the Bulldogs.

"Luber did a great job again once he settled in,” head coach Jeremy Geidel said. “We got him a lead and he was able to maintain it. He pitched very well into the sixth inning."

Senior shortstop Kyle Ivanoff went 2-4 with a run scored a two RBI’s to lead the Bulldogs.

Trinity Christian took control of game two from the beginning, jumping out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first and then piling on another five runs in the second inning. Concordia didn’t manage to get on the board until the fourth inning when Ivanoff brought in sophomore Andrew Yerrell.

“We really didn't hit the ball like we need to, particularly in the second game, Geidel said. “We need to take advantage of the nice weather we have here and get better."

Senior Joe Bradenburg took the loss, giving up just one earned run and one hit in two and 2/3 innings and allowing two walks. Sophomore Nick Thill replaced Bradenburg to finish the game with 4 1/3 shutout innings, and giving up five hits.

"A bright spot was Thill coming in in the third and throwing four scoreless innings for us,” Geidel said. “We were down and we needed someone to fill those innings. That was nice for him to bounce back like that."

Geidel went on to explain the Bulldogs need to regain focus and be prepared to play in their next competition against Saint Xavier University (Ill.) on Sunday.

"You could definitely tell we were a team that had been traveling many hours on a bus,” Geidel said. “We made mental and physical errors. We didn't have the same focus we had at Oklahoma Wesleyan last weekend. We need to get our rest and come out better tomorrow.”

Wilkerson leads doubleheader split in Florida

10 MAR 2013

Day two of Concordia baseball action in The Sunshine State produced another doubleheader split as the Bulldogs defeated Saint Xavier University (Ill.) 8-5 in game one before falling 5-4 in game two on Sunday. Concordia is now 4-7 overall and 2-2 on its Florida swing.

“Today we played very well,” head coach Jeremy Geidel said. “We hit the ball decent. The mistakes we had were by some young players. We’ll get these things corrected with more experience and more coaching. We have to iron out the mistakes and not put as much pressure on our pitchers.”

Tucson, Ariz., native Luke Parish-Ward got the ball on the mound in game one and got plenty of support from the Bulldog batsmen. After getting behind 5-0 early, due in part to defensive gaffes, Concordia stormed back with one run in the bottom of the second and six in the third.

The Bulldogs broke out the heavy lumber in the third as six-straight batters recorded hits. Andrew Yerrell singled, Ray Finley doubled in a run, Kyle Ivanoff cracked an RBI double, Camaren Gause singled and then Daniel Wilkerson and Zach Gulley struck for back-to-back home runs to cap the third-inning hit parade that fueled the season high eight-run outburst.

“We’re resilient,” Geidel said. “When we get behind, we keep coming back to get the lead. We did that at Oklahoma Wesleyan and again in that first game today. That’s one of the things I’m most impressed with about this team.”

Yerrell finished game one 2-for-4 with a run. Ivanoff went 2-for-3 with a double, a run and an RBI. Seven of the team’s starters recorded at least one hit in a balanced lineup.

Parish-Ward (2-1) fired five innings to pick up his second win of the season. He gave up five runs (three earned) on seven hits and a walk while striking out three. He was then relieved by Tim Fosmo, who pitched a 1-2-3 sixth for the hold, and by closer Jordan Ahl, who picked up his second save of the season by striking out the side in the seventh.

Game two followed a similar script in that Concordia spotted the Cougars three runs before coming back to take a 4-3 lead with a run in the fourth and three in the sixth. Gause’s sacrifice fly pushed across the first run. Gause then knocked home the second run with an RBI single in the sixth. Two batters later, Wilkerson doubled in a pair of runs.

Saint Xavier (3-3) tied the score with a run in the sixth and then walked off a winner thanks to Jim Augle’s run-scoring single with no outs in the bottom of the seventh against Ahl. Concordia reliever AJ Peterson was charged with the run and took the loss.

Kyle Godfrey started on the rubber for the Bulldogs. He went 5.2 innings and allowed four runs (all earned), four hits and four walks to go with two strikeouts. Meanwhile, Saint Xavier’s Chris Klein notched the win with a solid complete game effort.

Wilkerson, a native of Santa Fe, Texas, enjoyed a big day at the plate for the Bulldogs. He went a combined 3-for-5 with a home run, a double and four RBIs.

Saint Xavier, a member of the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference, posted a mark of 35-23 last season.

The Bulldogs will return to action in Florida on Tuesday with two games against University of Illinois-Springfield. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m. CST.

Tuesday baseball doubleheader wuped out by inclement weather

12 MAR 2013

Today’s (Tuesday) scheduled baseball doubleheader versus the University of Illinois-Springfield in Auburndale, Fla., has been canceled due to inclement weather. An announcement as to whether the games will be made up will come soon.

Concordia has now had five doubleheaders either postponed or wiped out completely by unfavorable weather conditions this season. The Bulldogs are currently 4-7 overall and 2-2 on their Florida trip. They are scheduled to play a three-game series with Southeastern University in Lakeland, Fla., beginning with a doubleheader on Friday and a single game on Saturday.

Schaefer leads bludgeoning of Illinois-Springfield

14 MAR 2013

Concordia played perhaps its most complete game of the early season with a 20-1 bludgeoning of NCAA Division II University of Illinois-Springfield (1-4) in Lakeland, Fla., on Thursday morning. Senior Nolan Schaefer led the way with three doubles and seven RBIs in fueling the blowout. Concordia is now 5-7 overall and 3-2 on its Florida trip.

“We jumped on them with 11 runs in the first inning and really hit the ball well,” head coach Jeremy Geidel said. “We got things going right away and then Joe Brandenburg did a nice job working with the lead and throwing strikes. We didn’t let up. We kept going.”

Schaefer even hit a ball that went through the plastic outfield wall at McKeel Academy. The game was a career effort for the Lincoln native who came into the game 4-for-16 in six games this season.

Schaefer and company provided plenty of support for Brandenburg, who made his fourth start on the mound on Thursday. He went six strong innings without allowing a run to pick up his first win of 2013.

“He located his off speed pitches extremely well,” Geidel said. “He had the curve working and he kept his fastball down.”

The 20 runs scored topped the team’s previous season high of eight runs on Sunday versus Saint Xavier (Ill.). The Bulldogs are now averaging 5.0 runs per game through the first 12 contests.

“I was impressed with how our guys continued to play the game after we got up by so much. You couldn’t tell whether we were up 10 runs or down 10 runs.”

The Bulldogs will complete the Florida trip with a three-game set at Southeastern University in Lakeland. Southeastern owns a record of 13-17.

“The guys are very businesslike right now. They continue to grind out each at bat and each play defensively. There really are no ebbs and flows in emotions. It will be fun to see how we do against a southern team here this weekend.”

Parish-Ward's mastery propels Bulldogs to game two win

15 MAR 2013

Head coach Jeremy Geidel’s Bulldogs continued play in Florida on Friday evening as they split a doubleheader at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Fla. The host Fire pulled away in game one to earn a 9-1 win before Concordia responded with a 3-2 victory to close the day. The Bulldogs sit at 6-8 overall and 4-3 during the Florida tour.

Concordia rebounded after a rough game one with a strong performance in the night cap. After getting on top in the first with a run thanks to a Southeastern error, catcher Ray Finley added more cushion in the third. The senior from Tucson, Ariz., went deep to centerfield for a two-run homer off Grant Porter – Finley’s first blast of the season.

“I think it was the first or second pitch and he hit it to dead center,” Geidel said. “That was a big momentum hit. It gave us a three-run lead and allowed our pitcher to settle in. LPW (Luke Parish-Ward) struggled a little in the fourth inning, but he was able to work out of it and ended up throwing very well in the sixth.”

The home run added all the support lefty Parish-Ward needed. Parish-Ward, another Tucson, Ariz., native, fired six innings and gave up only two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out six. It was the most impressive outing of the season for Parish-Ward, who improved to 3-1 in 2013. He also benefited from an error-free performance defensively by his teammates.

Jordan Ahl relieved Parish-Ward with one on and none out in the bottom of the seventh. Ahl proceeded to strikeout Josh Gordon on a nasty breaking pitch before giving up a run-scoring single to George Kirkland, putting the tying run at first base. Ahl buckled down and induced a strikeout of Corbin Weeks and then a groundout of Daniel Mims to end the game.

“It was good to see (Ahl) come in and get the job done,” Geidel said. “He was able to make the pitches he needed to. Even though he allowed the hit to score a run, he was able to close the door.”

In game one, senior right-handed starting pitcher Jeremiah Luber kept Concordia close with five-plus solid innings of work. He departed in the sixth inning after a leadoff double with Concordia trailing 3-1. That’s when the wheels came off as the Fire struck for six runs to break open the 9-1 advantage. Southeastern brought 10 hitters to the plate in the inning.

The Bulldogs got their only run in the top of the third when Tyler Harris led off with a double. He then advanced to third on Sean McCartney’s sacrifice bunt and scored on Andrew Yerrell’s groundout to short. Harris, a product of Valrico, Fla., went 2-for-3 in game one.

Luber finished with a pitching line of five innings, three runs, seven hits, two walks and one strikeout. Meanwhile, Dimitri Nunez tossed a seven-inning masterpiece for the Fire. He struck out six while scattering seven hits and two walks.

Finley went 3-for-8 on the day, including a 2-for-4 effort in game one. Yerrell also went 3-for-8 on Friday with two of his hits coming in the second game.

The Bulldogs will conclude their nine-game Florida swing with a single game at Southeastern University on Saturday at 11 a.m. CST to complete the three-game set with the Fire. Geidel’s squad will then take a week off before hosting Dakota State University at Plum Creek Park March 23-24.

“(A win tomorrow) would make the 24-26 hour bus drive back home feel a little shorter,” Geidel said. “It would give us a chance to leave the week’s work on a positive note with the home series against Dakota State coming up. It would mean a lot for us to finish up strong.”

Concordia drops rubber match in Saturday matinee

16 MAR 2013

The Concordia baseball squad completed its eight-game Florida swing with a 5-3 loss to Southeastern University (Fla.) in Lakeland, Fla., on Saturday afternoon. The host Fire took two of three in the weekend series, putting the Bulldogs at 6-9 overall and 4-4 in games in The Sunshine State.

Concordia never led on Saturday as Southeastern got on top with a first inning run and then pulled out in front, 4-1, after the Bulldogs had tied the score in the top of the third with an unearned run. Concordia hitters were kept off balance most of the day by Fire senior right-hander Johnnie Kirkland, who fired eight innings and struck out 12 while giving up only six hits and one earned run.

The Bulldogs tried to chip away at the deficit with a run each in the fourth and sixth innings. Concordia closed the gap to 4-2 when centerfielder Camaren Gause reached on an error and ended up coming around to score on a passed ball.

The Fire tacked on their final run of the game with an Austin Davis RBI single. Down 5-2, Concordia answered with Gause’s RBI double that scored shortstop Kyle Ivanoff in the sixth. However, the Bulldogs failed to push across a single run over the final three frames with Kirkland cruising until handing off to closer Phil Kish in the ninth.

Concordia threatened again in the seventh inning when Cameron Dressen and Andrew Yerrell delivered back-to-back singles with two outs. Kirkland then coaxed a groundout to third base from catcher Ray Finley. The Bulldogs were set down in order in the eighth and ninth innings.

Head coach Jeremy Geidel gave the ball to Firestone, Colo., native Kyle Godfrey for his third start of the season on the mound. The sophomore right-hander kept Concordia close and picked up an eight-inning complete game. He gave up five runs (all earned) on 10 hits and three walks while throwing 111 pitches.

Third baseman Stephen DeMatties went 2-for-2 with a pair of RBIs for Southeastern (15-18), a member of The Sun Conference.

The Bulldogs will be back in action a week from today when they begin a four-game weekend series with Dakota State University (S.D.) at Plum Creek Park in Seward. The Trojans (3-12) are part of the NAIA’s Association of Independent Institutions.

Weekend series vs. Dakota State canceled

21 MAR 2013

The four-game baseball series set to take place against Dakota State University (S.D.) on Saturday and Sunday in Seward has been canceled due to inclement weather. These cancelations mark the fifth and sixth doubleheaders wiped out by unfavorable weather this season.

To make up for the loss of these games, Concordia has scheduled a new doubleheader for Tuesday, March 26 at Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kan. The twin bill will get started at 1 p.m.

Baseball doubleheader at Tabor wiped out

25 MAR 2013

The Concordia baseball doubleheader scheduled for Tuesday at Tabor College (Kan.) has been canceled. The Hillsboro, Kan., area received significant snowfall over the weekend, blanketing the field. The Bulldogs are trying to add an opponent for this week to make up for the cancelation.

The latest cancelation marks the seventh doubleheader wiped out by inclement weather already this season. The Bulldogs have yet to play a game in the state of Nebraska in 2013.

Bulldog baseball adds Wednesday doubleheader at Sterling

26 MAR 2013

In lieu of today's canceled doubleheader, the Bulldog baseball squad will play a twin bill at Sterling College in Sterling, Kan., on Wednesday at 2 p.m. The Warriors, a member of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference, boast a record of 23-6 overall, including 10-0 at home.

Concordia will begin its conference schedule on Friday with a pair of games at Nebraska Wesleyan at 1 p.m. The Bulldogs will finally play at home on Saturday when Hastings visits Seward for a 1 p.m. doubleheader.

Four Bulldog hurlers combine on shutout of No. 23 Sterling in game one

27 MAR 2013

STERLING, Kan. – A quartet of Bulldog pitchers combined on a four-hit shutout of No. 23 Sterling College (24-7) in game one of a doubleheader split in Sterling, Kan., on Wednesday afternoon. After Concordia’s 4-0 game one win, the Warriors went on to take the second game, 10-3. Concordia enters Friday’s conference-opening twin bill with a mark of 7-10.

“We came out and scratched and clawed,” Bulldog head coach Jeremy Geidel said. “We scored a couple of runs with sacrifice bunts and were able to add a couple more. All of our pitchers did well. We shut them down. Things were clicking as far as pitching and defense.”

Concordia ‘Johnny-all-staffed it’ as Geidel put it, referring to his use of seven different pitchers on the day. The Bulldogs held starter Luke Parish-Ward to a strict pitch count as not to burn him out before a weekend heavy with GPAC games. Parish-Ward was near perfect in his three innings as he allowed only one hit and no walks to notch his team-leading fourth win.

Geidel turned it over to the bullpen the rest of the way. A.J. Peterson navigated the fourth with 10 pitches, Nick Thill allowed only one hit and a walk over the fifth and sixth innings before closer Jordan Ahl completed the shutout in the seventh. It was the team’s first shutout of the season with the last one coming April 7, 2012, in a 6-0 win versus Midland.

The Bulldogs pushed their first two runs across – one each in the first and fourth innings – with the help of sacrifice bunts. Center fielder Camaren Gause drove in the first tally with a double. Andrew Yerrell then cracked an RBI single in the fourth prior to Daniel Wilkerson’s RBI double in the fifth and Zach Gulley’s run-scoring single in the seventh.

Game two got away from the Bulldogs in the fourth when the Warriors plated five runs in an inning for the second time in the game. Concordia starter Kyle Godfrey tossed three innings and took the loss after struggling in the second frame. Peterson, Tim Fosmo, Thill and Edwin Izumigawa each took a turn on the mound for Concordia.

Wilkerson enjoyed a great day at the plate with a pair of hits in both games. He combined to go 4-for-7 with an RBI and a run. Wilkerson was joined by four other Bulldogs who had two hits in game one: Yerrell (2-for-4), Gause (2-for-3), Gulley (2-for-4) and Tyler Harris (2-for-4). Concordia totaled 12 hits in the opening game.

Wednesday’s games were the first this season for Concordia against a ranked opponent. The win in game one provides the Bulldogs added confidence moving into GPAC play.

“This was a good test for us before the GPAC,” Geidel said. “Sterling is the top team in the KCAC.

“We feel pretty good about where we’re at right now. We have to minimize our own mistakes. As long as we don’t give our opponent runs, we’ll be OK.”

The Bulldogs begin conference play on Friday with a matinee twin bill at Nebraska Wesleyan. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. from Kiwanis Baseball Complex at 31st and J Streets in Lincoln. The field is located off campus, west of Woods Park Tennis Center.

Gause continues hot hitting in GPAC-opening split

29 MAR 2013

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Bulldog baseball squad opened up GPAC play Friday afternoon in Lincoln, Neb., with a doubleheader split at Nebraska Wesleyan. Concordia took game one 5-4 and then fell 4-0 in the night cap. Head coach Jeremy Geidel’s squad now sits at 8-11 overall and 1-1 in GPAC play.

Concordia held on for the one-run victory in game one after building an advantage as large as 5-1. The Prairie Wolves got three runs in the bottom of the sixth and threated for more, but reliever Nick Thill got two important fly outs to center to end the inning. Closer Jordan Ahl then sealed the win with a 1-2-3 seventh for his third save.

“We got ourselves a comfortable lead and then when we got ourselves in trouble a little bit, the bullpen did come in and shut the door down,” Geidel said. “The nice thing is we fought through it – we held it and we got the win. That’s the biggest thing you want to do in conference. However you can, just get the win.”

Starter Jeremiah Luber improved to 2-2 with a solid game one performance as he out-dueled Wesleyan’s Ryan Dolezal. Luber went five-plus innings, allowing three runs (all earned) on two hits and two walks. He set down seven in a row before walking the first two hitters in the sixth.

Concordia added insurance in the fifth with a pair of key two-out hits. Catcher Ray Finley crushed a double into the left center gap to score Zach Gulley. Two batters later, Camaren Gause’s hard-hit grounder toward the hole at third went for an infield single and brought home pinch runner Miles Barrow for a 5-1 lead.

Concordia took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth with two runs aided by a sloppy Prairie Wolf infield defense. After Gause’s single put runners on second and third with no out (Gause advanced to second on the throw to third as Kyle Ivanoff slid in safely). On the next play Daniel Wilkerson’s pop up was dropped by the third baseman to load the bases.

Nebraska Wesleyan then botched a potential double play on Tyler Harris’ grounder back to the mound that resulted in an out at the plate and then a muffed catch at first base that allowed Gause (3-for-4 in game one) to come around to score. Wilkerson followed with a run of his own when he crossed the plate after Harris was caught stealing.

Matt Schommer used a similar finesse approach as Luber employs to shut out Concordia in game two. Schommer displayed pinpoint control in not walking a single hitter while yielding just four hits.

“He’s an off-speed pitcher and (throws) a lot of curveballs,” Geidel said. “You have to make an adjustment as a hitter against those guys. We hit the ball hard at a lot of guys. They made some good plays that could have gone either way. The thing is they just made more plays than we did in the second game.”

The Bulldogs’ most promising opportunity in game two came when Ivanoff and Gause cracked consecutive singles with two outs in the fourth. However, Schommer got Daniel Wilkerson to line out to left to end the inning.

Gause continued his run of consistency at the plate with a combined 4-for-7 effort on the day. He drove in one run and scored once while improving his season batting average to a team-leading .373.

“I felt comfortable up there and I’ve been seeing pitches I like to hit,” Gause said. “I’m just doing what I can for my team.”

Gause added that his transition from junior college baseball to Concordia has been made smooth by the welcoming nature of his teammates.

“It’s family first on this team,” Gause said. “I’ve found my spot and become comfortable. It’s working out for us. The chemistry on this team is really, really strong.”

Joe Brandenburg started game two for the Bulldogs and posted a line of 4.2 innings, five hits, no walks, three runs (two eanred) and five strikeouts. Thill threw the final 1.1 innings for the Concordia.

The Bulldogs continue conference play Saturday with a doubleheader versus Hastings (4-16, 0-2 GPAC). First pitch is set for 1 p.m. Both games will be available live online via the Concordia Sports Network for those who cannot make it to Plum Creek Park.

UPDATE: Saturday baseball doubleheader moved to Hastings

30 MAR 2013

Updated: March 30 at 11:45 a.m.

Today's (Saturday) doubleheader, originally scheduled to take place at 1 p.m. at Plum Creek Park, has been moved to Hastings due to wet conditions at Concordia's home ballpark. The Bulldogs will play in Hastings today at 3 p.m. in a GPAC doubleheader against the Broncos (4-16, 0-2 GPAC).

Wilkerson lifts Bulldogs to game two victory in Hastings

30 MAR 2013

HASTINGS, Neb. – Overnight rain in Seward forced Saturday’s doubleheader to move to Hastings, Neb., where the Bulldogs served as the home team against Hastings. The two GPAC rivals split a pair of one-run, pitcher-dominated affairs. After falling 1-0 in game once, Concordia salvaged the day with Daniel Wilkerson’s walk-off RBI single giving the Bulldogs a 3-2 victory in game two.

Concordia now sits at 9-12 overall and 2-2 in GPAC games. The Bulldogs also split Friday’s doubleheader at Nebraska Wesleyan.

Not wanting to waste two great performances on the day by the Bulldog starting pitching, Wilkerson delivered the walk-off single off of Bronco reliever Addison Ives with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the seventh. The clutch base hit made a winner out of reliever Nick Thill, who entered the game in the top of the seventh and got one out with a man on base.

However, the story of the day was the stellar work done by Concordia starting pitchers Luke Parish-Ward and Kyle Godfrey. They combined to throw 13.2 innings while allowing just eight hits and three runs. Parish-Ward took the game one loss despite tossing perhaps his best game in a Bulldog uniform. Meanwhile, Godfrey took a no decision.

“Both guys continued to throw strikes and hit their spots,” head coach Jeremy Geidel said. “They know how to change speeds and location.”

After a frustrating offensive game one, the Bulldogs finally got on the board in game two with center fielder Camaren Gause’s RBI single to tie the game in the bottom of the first. Concordia then took the lead in the second with second baseman Andrew Yerrell’s RBI single.

Godfrey appeared to be cruising along until Hastings got a run in the fifth on Trenton Neill’s RBI single to knot the game once again. That set the stage for Wilkerson’s heroics two innings later.

After giving up a run on two hits in the first inning of game one, Parish-Ward befuddled the Hastings batsmen the rest of the way. From the second inning on, Parish-Ward surrendered only a single walk and set down 14 hitters in a row and 19 of 20 overall. The loss snapped a personal four-game winning streak for the Tucson, Ariz., native.

Concordia wasted a golden opportunity to score in the bottom of the fourth in game one with runners on second and third and only one out. Hastings starting pitcher A.J. Fruchtl wiggled out of the jam by getting Eric Ellison to pop out to third prior to inducing Yerrell’s fly out to right.

“Five of seven innings we left a runner on second or third,” Geidel said. “That frustration built throughout the day. Fortunately, our pitching and defense kept us in games.”

Fruchtl made the first-inning run stand up in a four-hit shutout to earn his first victory of 2013. He walked only one and struck out seven in a seven-inning complete game that required 104 pitches.

Gause, who had a six-game hitting streak halted in game one on Saturday, has been the definition of consistency. He has at least one hit in 16 of 21 games this season. He went 2-for-3 with an RBI in game two.

The Bulldogs take a break from GPAC action to play a single nine-inning game at York College on Tuesday. With Saturday’s games moved to Hastings, Concordia is now scheduled to host its home opener Saturday, April 13 versus Dordt.

After the first weekend of conference play, Geidel knows the team’s approach at the plate must improve.

“We need to keep doing what we’re doing. We are pitching well and playing consistent defense,” Geidel said. “What we need is to have more quality at bats. We can’t expect our pitchers to throw shutouts. So we’re focusing on run support.”

Gause named GPAC Baseball Player of the Week

02 April 2013

GPAC Release

Concordia junior centerfielder Camaren Gause has been named the GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Baseball Player of the Week, the league announced on Tuesday. Gause leads Concordia with a batting average of .375 (sixth in the GPAC) through 21 games.

Over the past week of action, Gause went 9-for-19 at the plate with three doubles, three RBIs and three runs. He started all six games in centerfield while maintaining his perfect fielding percentage this season. The Bulldogs went 3-3 on the week and are now 9-12 overall.

Gause, a native of Tucson, Ariz., and transfer from Eastern Arizona Community College, has collected at least one hit in 16 of 21 games this season. In addition to ranking sixth in the conference in batting, Gause is 10th in the GPAC in slugging percentage (.469) and 13th in on-base percentage (.425).

Gause and the Bulldogs continue action tonight with a single nine-inning game at No. 20 York College (4:30 p.m.).

Concordia pummeled by No. 20 York

02 April 2013

YORK, Neb. – The Bulldogs could not slow down a hot York College team as the host Panthers rolled to an 18-3 victory in York, Neb., on Tuesday. No. 20 York won its 19th game in a row by posting five runs in the first, seven in the fourth, five in the sixth and one in the eighth. Head coach Jeremy Geidel’s Bulldogs fell to 9-13 overall.

Concordia actually scored first with a single run in the top of the first off of York starter Reid VanWesten. Designated hitter Miles Barrow, who singled with one out, came around to score on right fielder Daniel Wilkerson’s sacrifice fly to deep left-center.

The powerful Panther offense came right back to tally five in the bottom half, tagging Concordia starter Tim Fosmo. For the game, York pounded out 16 hits while also benefiting from four Bulldog errors.

The Panther seven and eight hitters – Brett Wise and Isidro Carrizoza – combined to go 5-for-9 with nine RBIs and five runs for scorching-hot York, now 28-7 overall.

The Bulldogs got back into the game in the top of the fourth with a pair of runs that put them within 5-3. In the frame Camaren Gause, named the GPAC Player of the Week earlier in the day, walked and ended up stealing second and home. Third baseman Tyler Harris added Concordia’s final run with an RBI double to plate Wilkerson.

Barrow and left fielder Zach Gulley both went 2-for-4 as part of an eight-hit offensive attack.

Geidel used six different pitchers to get through eight innings. Fosmo took the loss after working two innings. Matt Chambers, Edwin Izumigawa, A.J. Peterson and Nick Thill tossed an inning each. Jordan Ahl fired the final two innings.

Concordia will remain on the road and resume action on Saturday when it takes on Briar Cliff (4-18, 1-3 GPAC) in Sioux City, Iowa, at 1 p.m.

Brandenburg's shutout keys twin bill split at Briar Cliff

06 APR 2013

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – After Concordia allowed 11 runs in an 11-5 game one loss, right-handed pitcher Joe Brandenburg made sure the Bulldogs did not leave Sioux City, Iowa, empty-handed. Brandenburg dazzled with a one-hit shutout in game two as Concordia split another GPAC doubleheader, this time with Briar Cliff.

The Bulldogs pushed their overall record to 10-14 and stayed at an even .500 in the conference at 3-3.

“You always feel better winning that second game,” Bulldog head coach Jeremy Geidel said. “Joe did a great job. He pitched one of his better games here. He spotted the fastball and curveball early and then he was able to get the changeup over in the fifth and sixth to help him get through the late innings.”

Brandenburg, a native of Waconia, Minn., seemed to have all of his pitches working in his best outing of the season. He retired the side in order in the first, fifth, sixth and seventh innings in a work of art. He allowed only four hitters to reach base – one hit, one walk and two hit batters. The lone hit came in the fourth from the Chargers’ Mat Boswell.

“There were two or three innings where Briar Cliff got the leadoff hitter on,” Geidel said. “They try to put pressure on you with hit-and-runs. Joe did a nice job getting guys to pop up. He used his defense behind him.”

Brandenburg struck out three and got nine fly outs and nine ground outs. The shutout lowered his ERA to a team-best 2.70 while improving his record to 2-3.

Concordia got on top immediately in game two with a run in the first on right fielder Daniel Wilkerson’s RBI single that scored second baseman Alex Cargin, who reached with a double.

Charger game two starter Dylan Romo settled in and held the Bulldogs scoreless over the next four frames until Concordia put the game out of reach in the sixth with four runs to make it 5-0. Left fielder Zach Gulley and shortstop Kyle Ivanoff both notched RBI doubles in the inning while the other two runs were scored with the help of Briar Cliff fielding miscues.

Game one got away from the Bulldogs as the Chargers enjoyed three big innings to build a lead as large as 11-2. Briar Cliff tagged Concordia starter Jeremiah Luber for eight hits and 11 runs (four earned) in 4.1 innings of work. Relievers Tim Fosmo and Nick Thill covered the final 1.2 innings for Concordia.

“In the first game we saw that if you don’t throw strikes and you play poorly defensively, it can get pretty ugly,” Geidel said.

At the plate in game two, the Bulldogs tallied one in the first and fourth innings and then three in the seventh. Camaren Gause, named GPAC Player of the Week on Tuesday, knocked home the first run with a double. Gulley also recorded his first of two RBI doubles on the day, while Nolan Schaefer and Andrew Yerrell both produced an RBI ground out.

Gulley finished the day 3-for-7 with two RBIs and two runs to lead the offensive attack. A total of eight different Bulldogs cracked at least one hit on the afternoon.

Giedel’s squad will now spend Saturday night in Mitchell, S.D., to get ready for Sunday’s doubleheader at Dakota Wesleyan (17-14, 4-2 GPAC), who currently sits in a tie for second in the conference. The Tigers split a twin bill with Nebraska Wesleyan on Saturday.

“They’re typically a scrappy team,” Geidel said. “They’re always competitive. You can’t ever let your guard down with Dakota Wesleyan.”

Concordia swept at Dakota Wesleyan

07 APR 2013

MITCHELL, S.D. – Big innings by the Dakota Wesleyan offensive attack in both games of Sunday’s doubleheader allowed the host Tigers to sweep away Concordia. The Bulldogs fell by scores of 8-2 in game one and 9-5 in game two in Mitchell, S.D. Head coach Jeremy Geidel’s squad slumped to 10-16 overall and 3-5 in GPAC games.

“Our starting pitching got off to a slow start. We had too many walks in the first game and too many errors in the second game,” Geidel said.

“We had missed opportunities offensively and couldn’t get things rolling. I’m disappointed in the level and consistency of play this weekend.”

Game one starter Luke Parish-Ward (4-3) worked around a rare bout of wildness in the second to hold the Tiger lead at 2-1 at the conclusion of the first two frames. Parish-Ward walked the bases loaded with one out before inducing a tapper back to the mound that resulted in an inning-ending 1-2-3 double play.

However, Dakota Wesleyan (19-14, 6-2 GPAC) struck for five runs in the bottom of the fourth to chase Parish-Ward from the game. The first five Tiger hitters in the inning reached base (one via error) to necessitate the call to the bullpen. Parish-Ward went three-plus innings, allowing seven runs on six hits and five walks.

The Bulldogs got their runs on an Andrew Yerrell RBI ground out in the second and a Daniel Wilkerson single that scored Camaren Gause, who reached on a double. Gause and left fielder Zach Gulley both went 2-for-3 in game one.

In game two, a sloppy first inning put Concordia in a big early hole that it never recovered from. A pair of errors contributed to the four-run Tiger outburst against Bulldog starting pitcher Kyle Godfrey. That set the tone for another rough start for Geidel’s club, which surrendered four more runs in the second.

Concordia fought back with three runs in the fifth inning and two in the sixth. Gause cracked another RBI double to finally get the Bulldogs on the board. After Wilkerson’s RBI grounder scored Kyle Ivanoff, designated hitter Tyler Harris doubled in Gause to get Concordia within five runs at 8-3.

The Bulldogs pushed across their fourth and fifth runs thanks to a passed ball that scored Yerrell and an Alex Cargin run-scoring single. Suddenly, Concordia was within striking distance, down only 8-5.

But the Tigers added an insurance run in the sixth and reliever Zac Custer worked a perfect seventh inning to close it out.

The Bulldogs shuffled their lineup between games on Saturday in Briar Cliff. The modified batting order was used again on Sunday and featured shortstop Kyle Ivanoff in the leadoff spot, followed by second baseman Alex Cargin, center fielder Camaren Gause and right fielder Daniel Wilkerson.

Gulley completed a 7-for-17 week that included exactly two hits in three of the five games. He raised his season batting average to .316, third best on the team.

Concordia will finally host its home-opening doubleheader next Saturday when Dordt (4-13, 2-6 GPAC) visits Plum Creek Park. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.

Bulldogs' game-two rally salvage GPAC split

13 APR 2013

SEWARD, Neb. – Down 5-0 in game two, Concordia fought back to earn a 6-5 victory after falling 4-3 in game one on Saturday versus Dordt (5-14, 3-7 GPAC). The Bulldogs finally played their home opener at Plum Creek Park after having several scheduled home games postponed or canceled by inclement spring weather. Concordia sits at 11-17 overall and 4-6 in GPAC action.

After facing a potential 0-2 start to the home schedule, head coach Jeremy Geidel was pleased with the way his team fought back and came alive offensively in the third and fourth innings of game two.

“The guys just kept grinding,” Geidel said. “We spotted their stud (pitcher) with a five-run lead. We just kept chipping away. We got runners on. We got opportunities and we did score – not as many as we’d like during those innings – but we just kept coming and kept coming. And then we got the big hit there by Wilkerson to take the lead.”

Right fielder Daniel Wilkerson came through with the game-winning RBI in the fourth inning. Wilkerson’s two-run double plated the tying and go-ahead runs to provide the final tallies in the 6-5 Bulldog victory. The big hit from the Santa Fe, Texas, native sent Kyle Ivanoff and Camaren Gause home.

“I was just trying to get a good piece on it, hit it hard and get it in the outfield to score the run to at least tie the game,” Wilkerson said. “Anything after that was a bonus, so I was happy with it.”

Concordia chipped away at the five-run deficit by getting on the board with a single run in the second inning on Nolan Schaefer’s RBI ground out. The Bulldogs then exploded for three runs in the third with Zach Gulley striking for an RBI double and Andrew Yerrell an RBI single, while the final run came via a throwing error. All the damage was done off of Dordt starting pitcher Lucas Carls.

After yielding five runs in the first two frames of game two, starting pitcher Joe Brandenburg settled in and put up zeros over the third, fourth and fifth innings. Brandenburg, who fired a one-hit shutout versus Briar Cliff in his previous outing, allowed eight hits and one walk while striking out six.

Brandenburg gave way to closer Jordan Ahl, who nailed down his fourth save of the season by working scoreless sixth and seventh innings. It was the first time this season in which Ahl pitched more than one inning on the way to earning the save.

“He’s been really consistent so we knew he could go six outs,” Geidel said. “We figured this would be a good opportunity to do that and secure the lead. We thought his fastball and his slider would do well against their hitters.”

The Bulldogs never did grab the lead in game one as Defender starting pitcher Ben Van Kekerix went the distance to claim his third win. Van Kekerix limited Concordia to six hits while striking out seven.

The Bulldogs made things interesting the bottom of the seventh. Trailing 4-1, catcher Ray Finley drilled a two-run home run to left center to put Concordia within a run. However, Van Kekerix struck out Schaefer swinging to end the game.

Finley finished 3-for-6 on the day, including a 2-for-3 effort in game two. Wilkerson went 2-for-7 and drove in three runs. Yerrell finished the doubleheader at 3-for-5.

The Defenders were led by the 5-for-7 (two RBI) performance from third baseman Jon Holwerda.

The Bulldogs return to Plum Creek Park on Sunday for another matinee twin bill (1 p.m.). Mount Marty (11-19, 5-5 GPAC) will visit Seward for a pair of GPAC games that were originally scheduled to be played in Yankton, S.D.

Bulldogs split pair of wild one-run games at Plum Creek

14 APR 2013

SEWARD, Neb. – Both of Sunday’s games went right down to the wire as the Bulldogs completed their four-game weekend homestand with a doubleheader split versus Mount Marty (12-20, 6-6 GPAC). Concordia relinquished a three-run lead before pulling out a 7-6 extra-inning win in game one. Game two went to the Lancers, 10-9, in a particularly wild finish that saw the Bulldogs leave the bases loaded in the seventh.

Concordia, now 12-18 overall and 5-7 in the conference, put together perhaps its best doubleheader of the season offensively.

“We’ve been there before. We’ve done it before,” Bulldog head coach Jeremy Geidel said. “Things worked out where they were able to generate some base runners and bring some runners across. It was unfortunate but we still had players step up like (reliever) Nick Thill.

“The biggest thing is the resilience of the guys once we got out of that (seventh-inning) jam to come back and get a run across right away (in the eighth).”

Game one would not be decided until the eighth inning when junior outfielder Eric Ellison lifted a drive to left field that brought home pinch runner Miles Barrow on a sacrifice fly. The run was made possible by a one-out triple from designated hitter Nolan Schaeffer.

“It was the first pitch and I was just trying to get something in the outfield deep enough to get the guy in from third,” Ellison said of his game-winning RBI.

Thill got the final five outs for Concordia to pick up the win, but nothing was easy on this day. After retiring the first two hitters in the eighth, Thill then walked Derek Blumenstock and hit Sam Hollenback to put men at first and second. Concordia breathed a sigh of relief as Mathias Godsil grounded out to end the game.

A sloppy, high-scoring affair took place in game two. Things got started on a positive note as shortstop Kyle Ivanoff started the game by drilling the first pitch from Josh Cleveland over the right-center field wall for his first home run of the season. However, Mount Marty put up crooked numbers in each of the first four innings and chased Bulldog starter Kyle Godfrey from the game in the fourth.

Solid work from the Concordia pen allowed Geidel’s squad to stay within striking distance. The Bulldogs loaded the bases in the seventh and final inning, down 10-9. But the Lancers’ AJ Griffith slammed the door on Concordia by striking out Miles Barrow to end the game.

While the Bulldogs did not get the sweep they were aiming for, Geidel was pleased with the offensive improvement. Concordia combined for 22 hits in the doubleheader, with at least 10 knocks in both games.

“We’re generating some runs,” Geidel said. “Both games we were scoring more runs than last weekend. We weren’t very competitive at Dakota Wesleyan (last Sunday). This weekend we were competitive. The games we won – we won the hard way.

“The guys really fought and really showed a competitiveness we hadn’t seen for a while.”

Ellison took advantage of his playing time and went a combined 4-for-7 with two RBIs and a run.

“I’m feeling pretty comfortable right now,” Ellison said. “It took a little while after the start I had, but I’m feeling confident and seeing good pitches.”

Schaeffer (4-for-8, three runs) and third baseman Andrew Yerrell (4-for-8, three RBIs) also notched four hits in the doubleheader.

Regular outfielders Zach Gulley and Daniel Wilkerson both missed time on Sunday. Gulley did not play in either game while Wilkerson limped off the field in the first inning of game two after grounding out.

Concordia will resume action on Tuesday as it plays at nationally-ranked York for a 5:30 p.m. doubleheader. The Bulldogs return home for twin bills next Saturday and Sunday.

Schaefer continues hot hitting in loss at No. 14 York

16 APR 2013

YORK, Neb. – Concordia used a committee of pitchers on Tuesday to navigate eight innings of a non-conference game, sandwiched between several key GPAC doubleheaders. Fourteenth-ranked York held serve at home with a 5-1 victory over the visiting Bulldogs. Concordia fell to 12-19 on the season.

“The guys are continuing to grasp things that we are telling them,” Bulldog head coach Jeremy Geidel said. “We are competing, but obviously York is a good team. In order to beat a team like that, you can’t make many mistakes.”

The Bulldog quintet of pitchers did a nice job of limiting the host Panthers to just three earned runs as Edwin Izumigawa, Tim Fosmo and Nick Thill all posted scoreless outings. However, a two-run first and a three-run fifth was all York needed thanks to a stellar effort from its own steady stream of hurlers.

Concordia got its only run in the fourth inning when first baseman Nolan Schaefer doubled to left to plate center fielder Camaren Gause, who had reach on an error. Schaefer, who went 4-for-8 in Sunday’s doubleheader, stayed hot with a 3-for-4 afternoon in York.

“Nolan’s swinging the bat very well,” Geidel said. “He’s seeing the ball well and swinging at good pitches. He’s been a good catalyst for us.”

The Panthers broke open a comfortable lead with three runs thanks in part to a couple of Bulldog errors that allowed to unearned runs to score off of reliever A.J. Peterson. The inning came to an end when Peterson got Trevor Ramos to fly out to center field with two outs.

The powerful Panthers are now 5-0 against GPAC opponents and sit atop the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference with a mark of 16-2.

The Bulldogs return to Plum Creek Park for GPAC doubleheaders on both Saturday and Sunday. Northwestern will be in town on Saturday (1 p.m.) prior to Morningside’s visit on Sunday (1 p.m.). All four games will be available via the Concordia Sports Network.

The Red Raiders reside at the top of the GPAC while Morningside sits in the middle of the pack. Geidel says his team will have to make fewer mistakes than the opposition to win.

Bulldog pitching shines in spite of Red Raider sweep

20 APR 2013

SEWARD, Neb. – Concordia baseball saw a reversal of the previous weekend’s offensive outburst as the bats cooled off and failed to support the fine work of the Bulldog hurlers on Saturday afternoon. Visiting Northwestern remained hot, sweeping the doubleheader with wins by scores of 2-1 and 4-0. The Bulldogs fell to 12-21 overall and 5-9 in GPAC play with the pair of the losses to the first-place Red Raiders.

“Both of our starting pitchers threw well,” Concordia senior Jeremiah Luber said. “We just couldn’t get the bats going. The wind blowing in had a little bit to do with that. It’s frustrating. Baseball’s a cruel game.

“Sometimes it happens one way where we’re not pitching as well as we’re hitting and sometimes it happens where we pitch well and don’t get some of the timely hits we need.”

Luber looked much sharper on Saturday than he had in his two prior starts. The right-hander from Waverly, Neb., went all seven innings and allowed only two runs (both earned) on four hits and four walks. He used the steady wind to his advantage as he recorded 13 fly outs.

“I didn’t have some of my best stuff today, but our job as pitchers is to battle to keep our team in it, keep the team within striking distance,” Luber said. “That’s what I was doing all day – just kept battling to try to give our team a chance. Unfortunately we couldn’t get it done.”

Northwestern (23-14, 13-1 GPAC) starter Tyler Stuerman out-dueled Luber in holding the Bulldogs to only a single hit – Andrew Yerrell’s two-out double in the fourth. Stuerman struck out eight and walked four on the way to improving his mark to 6-2.

The Bulldogs managed five hits in game two but were never able to push across a run as Isaac Horigan (5.1 innings) and Chase Rozeboom (1.2 innings) combined on the shutout. Concordia had its best chance to climb back into the game in the fifth when it loaded the bases with two outs. However, Horigan coaxed Tyler Harris to foul out to third to end the frame.

Bulldog game two starting pitcher Joe Brandenburg pitched every bit as well as Luber did in the opening contest. Brandenburg also tossed a complete game, surrendering four runs (one earned) on seven hits and no walks. A key error in the first inning allowed the Red Raiders to put up three huge first-inning runs.

While Concordia struggled for much of the day at the plate, shortstop Kyle Ivanoff and second baseman Alex Cargin shined up the middle defensively. The duo combined for several highlight-reel plays. Ivanoff looked smooth in ranging deep into the hole and Cargin came up with a diving stop moving to his left to get an out in game two.

Northwestern, which leads the GPAC by three games, has now won eight consecutive contests.

The Bulldogs return to Plum Creek Park on Sunday for a twin bill beginning at 1 p.m. Morningside (18-21, 8-6 GPAC) will serve as the opponent.

Morningside steals two from Bulldogs

21 APR 2013

SEWARD, Neb. – A momentum-building seventh-inning rally in game one propelled visiting Morningside (20-21, 10-6 GPAC) to a doubleheader sweep of the Bulldogs at Plum Creek Park on Sunday afternoon. The Mustangs roared back for an 8-4 victory in game one before taking the second game, 4-1. The Bulldogs went winless on the four-game weekend homestand and now sit at 12-23 overall and at 5-11 in GPAC action.

A usually stout back end of the Concordia bullpen could not hold a 4-2 lead entering the seventh inning in the opening game. The Bulldogs came into play 11-0 when leading after six innings, but all four Morningside hitters who faced closer Jordan Ahl reached base to spell trouble. The Mustangs edged in front 5-4 on David Badalucco’s two-run single off of Nick Thill who relieved Ahl.

Morningside then tacked on three more runs to take a commanding 8-4 advantage. Right-hander Nick Weeter, who tossed the final 1.1 innings for the Mustangs, picked up the win out of the bullpen. Weeter allowed a two-out bunt single to right fielder Miles Barrow but then got shortstop Kyle Ivanoff to foul out to the shortstop to end the game.

The Bulldogs got a quality start in game one from left-hander Luke Parish-Ward, who allowed two runs on seven hits and a walk in six strong innings. The Tucson, Ariz., native struck out five.

Head coach Jeremy Geidel’s squad grabbed the lead in the fifth inning after catcher Ray Finley’s RBI double and a passed ball that brought pinch runner Taylor Dudley home from third. Concordia added an insurance run in the sixth with third baseman Andrew Yerrell’s RBI single up the middle that made it 4-2.

The Bulldog bats struggled in game two as Morningside jumped out to a lead in the second inning and held it the rest of the way. Three Mustang hurlers combined to limit Concordia to one run on four hits.

The lone run for the Bulldogs in game two came on Barrows’ RBI single to left that plated first baseman Nolan Schaefer. Concordia’s best opportunity to get more runs on the board came in the third inning when second baseman Alex Cargin and center fielder Camaren Gause both singled with one out. However, Morningside starting pitcher Derek Appley wiggled out of the jam without a run scoring in the frame.

The Bulldogs now enter their final week of the regular season as they look forward to two GPAC doubleheaders. Concordia will honor its seniors at its final home twin bill on Thursday (4 p.m.). Doane (26-16, 11-5 GPAC) will serve as the opponent.

Eight seniors recognized as Doane sweeps Bulldogs

26 APR 2013

SEWARD, Neb. – Visiting Doane College spoiled the party on a night when Concordia baseball celebrated the contributions of eight seniors as part of Senior Day festivities. The Tigers won by scores of 6-5 and 11-1 on Thursday evening at Plum Creek Park. Concordia fell to 12-25 overall and 5-13 in GPAC action.

“They’re a special group of guys,” Bulldog head coach Jeremy Geidel said of the senior class. “They all have their special talents not just as baseball players but as individuals. They are all outstanding young men. They grew as they came through our system as young men. I can’t say enough about them individually.”

Seniors like shortstop Kyle Ivanoff fought valiantly in effort to get the Bulldogs in the win column in his final appearance at Plum Creek Park. The Tucson, Ariz., native went 4-for-4 in game one in what was an emotional night for him.

“There are a lot of emotions with senior night,” said Ivanoff, whose parents made the trip from Arizona. “I was out there trying to play for the other seniors tonight. We had two senior starting pitchers out there so we all just wanted to get the win for them.

“Emotions are high and it’s been a great four years. I’m very blessed to get this opportunity.”

The Bulldogs mounted an impressive seventh inning rally in game one by scoring three runs to pull within 6-5. However, Doane’s Rolando Celis struck out center fielder Camaren Gause to end the game and send the Bulldogs to another one-run defeat – the seventh of the season.

“We really competed that first game to come back against (Elliott) Engle, a very good pitcher – probably one of the top pitchers in the conference,” Geidel said. “We put the bat on the ball. We did it all day. Obviously in the first inning we had the bases loaded and had a chance there early on.”

Bulldog catcher Ray Finley shaved a run off of what was a 5-0 deficit with his homer to right center in the bottom of the fifth. Left fielder Zach Gulley, who homered in both games, followed with an inside-the-park four-bagger in the sixth. The Doane left fielder failed to get the ball to the cut off until Gulley had reached third. At that point the Chandler, Ariz., native motored around third and caught the Tigers off guard.

Concordia squandered a golden opportunity to take an early lead in game one when it stranded the bases loaded in the first. Doane ace pitcher Elliott Engle got Andrew Yerrell to ground into a fielder’s choice and Gulley to fly to center to end the threat and leave the bags full of Bulldogs. Engle wound up snaring his sixth win of the season in a six-inning performance.

The Tigers hammered away with 12 hits in game two and got out to an early 6-0 lead off Bulldog starter Joe Brandenburg. Doane got three hits each from AJ Spanel and Chris Manning.

The Bulldogs will finish the regular season on Friday with a GPAC doubleheader at Midland. Concordia, currently in 10th place in the conference, will need to sweep the Warriors and then get some help in order to reach the GPAC tournament.

Harris headlines Concordia baseball all-conference honorees

08 MAY 2013

GPAC Release

Concordia freshman Tyler Harris earned second team all-GPAC and five Bulldogs received honorable mention all-conference recognition, as announced by the GPAC on Wednesday. Senior Ray Finley and sophomore Andrew Yerrell, 2013 honorable mentions selections, are repeat choices having been named to the GPAC second team last season. In addition, senior Kyle Ivanoff received honorable mention for the second-straight year.

Harris led the Bulldogs with a .307 batting average in 33 games while splitting time as a third baseman and designated hitter. He also drove in nine runs and scored 14. In conference games only, the Valrico, Fla., native hit .321.

Joining Finley, Ivanoff and Yerrell with honorable mention honors were juniors Camaren Gause and Luke Parish-Ward and seniors Ivanoff and Nick Thill. Gause served as perhaps the team’s most consistent regular as he hit .288 while starting all 39 games in center field. Thill led the Bulldogs with 20 appearances out of the bullpen. The Littleton, Colo., native posted a 3.58 ERA in 27.2 innings of work.

Yerrell hit .273 with 11 RBIs in 39 starts. Finley, who started 32 games mainly at catcher, batted .240 with three home runs and a team-high tying 21 RBIs. Parish-Ward established himself as perhaps the Bulldogs’ most reliable starting pitcher, going 4-4 with a 3.91 ERA and a team high 38 strikeouts in 53 innings.

Ivanoff, who hails from Tucson, Ariz., started all 39 games at shortstop after starting all 53 games at the same spot in 2012. This season Ivanoff hit .286 with a home run and 10 RBIs and swiped a team high 14 bases in 15 attempts.

Three Bulldogs garner honorable mention OWH All-Nebraska baseball

01 JUL 2013

The Omaha World-Herald recognized a trio of Bulldog baseball players as honorable mention selections with the release of its All-Nebraska NAIA team on Thursday. Outfielder Camaren Gause, infielder Tyler Harris and starting pitcher Luke Parish-Ward were each listed under the honorable mention section.

Harris also earned second team all-GPAC this past season after leading the team with a .307 batting average. Gause made an immediate impact after transferring from Eastern Arizona Community College, starting all 39 games in centerfield. Parish-Ward led all starters in wins (4) and ERA (3.91).