Bosanko catches fire in split with Presentation
SEWARD, Neb. – The Bulldog bats stayed hot, racking up a combined 24 hits, including three home runs, while splitting a pair of games with visiting Presentation College (S.D.) on Tuesday afternoon. The closing of a 10-game homestand saw the Concordia University softball team take game 1, 12-7, before falling, 7-5, in game 2.
Second-year head coach Todd LaVelle’s squad, which had a five-game win streak snapped in Tuesday’s capper, moved to 14-11 overall and 7-3 at Plum Creek Park.
“Just like last night, I want to clean up a few things,” LaVelle said. “It just doesn’t seem like we can put a full seven-inning game together whether it be at the plate, some errors or our pitching staff walking hitters. That’s the frustrating part. We know these girls have it. They have the talent to do it.”
Concordia’s offensive talent was on full display in the opening contest. Moved back to shortstop in the second game on Tuesday, sophomore Palmer Bosanko shook off early-season struggles by going 3-for-3 with three runs and two RBIs in game 1. She then hit a two-run homer in game 2 that tied the score, 3-3, in the bottom of the fourth.
Bosanko was the catalyst for an offense that got production up and down the lineup. On the day, Becca Walker went 4-for-7 with two runs and three RBIs, Michaela Woodward went 4-for-7 with an RBI, Shelby Schacher went 3-for-7 with a home run and Julia Tyree also connected on a home run.
But Bosanko’s performance stood out as the day’s biggest highlight.
“She had an exceptional day,” LaVelle said. “That was good for her. She’s one young lady that loves this game. She would practice four hours if I let her. She always wants to do her best. It was good for her to see a lot of success today. I’m proud of her.”
In game 2, Concordia trailed by a run as late as the fifth inning when the Bulldogs exploded for six tallies as part of a wild bottom half. Schacher initiated the onslaught with a solo homer (second of the season) to left field. Bunt singles by both Bosanko and Jordana Goncalves also scored runs and MaKenna Tracy knocked in two more with a base hit.
Goncalves worked two scoreless innings in relief before running into trouble with back-to-back hit batters to begin the seventh. LaVelle then called on Woodward, who recorded the final three outs of the game and ensured there would be no drama like there had been a night earlier.
Following Bosanko’s homer in the second contest, Presentation (10-18) built a four-run lead with two runs apiece in the fifth and seventh innings. Shortstop Brenda Botzenhart went 2-for-4 and homered in the Saint win.
Goncalves, the winning pitcher in game 1, took the loss in game 2 when she allowed seven runs (six earned) on eight hits and seven walks over six innings.
The Bulldogs return to conference action on Friday when they travel to nearby Doane (18-6, 4-0 GPAC) for a 1 p.m. doubleheader in Crete. The Tigers are receiving votes in the national poll and sit atop the league standings with a 4-0 GPAC record.
“We’ll be up for Doane,” LaVelle said. “It will be nice to see someone who’s playing really well and see how we stack up against them. We’ll give them everything I got.”