Beeson dominates in circle to lead split at Nebraska Wesleyan
LINCOLN, Neb. – The hitting slump that has recently plagued the Concordia University softball team continued in game 1 of a chilly Wednesday evening doubleheader at Nebraska Wesleyan. After falling 2-1 in the opening contest, the Bulldogs opened up an early game 2 lead on the way to a 4-3 victory.
After ending a stretch of 16-straight innings without scoring a run, the Bulldogs were able to salvage a split and move to 24-9 overall and 9-5 in the GPAC.
Nothing has come easy of late for a Concordia squad that had lost four of five before the game 2 victory. A sputtering offense put up three runs in the first with the damage coming after two outs were recorded. Molly Madsen singled in Diana Mendoza (one-out double), Palmer Bosanko doubled in Madsen and the third run scored on a double steal.
That was just about all pitcher Amanda Beeson would need to notch her 12th win of the season. After tossing all six innings in the game 1 loss, Beeson started game 2 and was relieved by Julia Tyree after two singles to begin the bottom of the fifth. LaVelle went back to Beeson in the sixth with Nebraska Wesleyan down 4-2 and threatening.
“Beeson was throwing real well today,” LaVelle said. “In game 1 we kind of had to calm her down. She was throwing so hard and having trouble hitting her spots. Once she did she was great. We’re preparing her for the conference tournament. We wanted her to go back-to-back.”
Beeson retired the final five hitters she faced in game 2 to allow the Bulldogs to move to 9-4 in one-run games. Beeson covered 12 of 13 innings pitched on the day. She surrendered a combined three runs (two earned) on eight hits and three walks. She fanned 10.
The Bulldog ace simply needed a bit of offensive support.
“Offensively I thought we hit a lot better,” LaVelle said. “In game 2 we were able to string hits together to get out to a 3-0 lead. Then we executed really well, got a bunt down and got a hit to go up 4-0. That ended up being a big run.”
Concordia had a shot in an opening contest that came down to the wire. Tyree’s RBI grounder ended the Bulldogs’ run-scoring drought and got them within a run. With two outs and Regan Doiel at third, Mendoza lined out to third as pitcher Chaley Hamilton and the Prairie Wolves escaped with the win.
LaVelle shuffled his lineup, moving Tyree to the leadoff spot and Mendoza to No. 2 while using both Brittany Hudler and Amber Topil in the three hole. The Bulldogs put up a combined 11 hits in Wednesday’s doubleheader.
Doiel, who played left field in both games, had the most success as she went 4-for-5 with a run and a stolen base on the evening. Bosanko and Madsen had one hit each in both ends of the twin bill.
The Prairie Wolves (14-16, 5-9 GPAC) got two hits in both games from standout shortstop Betsy Reimer.
The Bulldogs have the Easter weekend off before returning to action on Monday for a make-up doubleheader at Briar Cliff (16-15, 5-7 GPAC). First pitch is set for 1 p.m. Next week will mark the end of the regular season as Concordia ends with two home doubleheaders.
