Bulldogs' 2012 season ends with a 3-0 loss to Hastings at GPAC Tournament

The Concordia University, Nebraska, softball team suffered a 3-0 loss to Hastings College in an elimination game at the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Tournament in Hastings, Neb. on Friday, May 4.  

With the loss, Concordia concluded its 2012 season with a 20-19 record.  Hastings, meanwhile, moved to 25-27 overall and we face Midland University in a 2 p.m. contest.  Midland eliminated the top seeded Northwestern Red Raiders by the score of 1-0.

Friday's game appeared to get off to a strong start for Concordia.  After seeing the bases loaded with no outs via two errors, Concordia starter senior Nicole Sempek (Columbus, Neb.) miraculously worked out of the jam without allowing a run.  Sempek recorded the first two outs on strikes, setting down Anna Eberly and Mallory Suhr.  Facing the leadoff hitter, Sempek received a helping hand from junior Nicole Mapes as she ending the inning with a sliding catch of a sinking line drive in left field.

The Bulldogs, though, were unable to capitalize on the momentum gathered on defense.   Concordia freshman Molly Madsen (Thornton, Colo.) delivered the Bulldogs first hit, a one-out single to right-center in the second.  Unfortunately Madsen was stranded at second 

The game remained scoreless until the top of the fourth when Hastings strung together three consecutive two-out singles to claim a 1-0 edge. 

The Broncos added two insurance runs in the fifth, giving starter MacKenzie Welchert all the offense she would need.  Welchert held the Bulldogs offense to just three hits over seven innings to move to 16-10 on the year. 

Sempek concluded her Concordia career with a 14-8 mark this season and a career record of 69-30.  Friday Sempek allowed three runs on 12 hits over seven innings. 

Concordia finished with four hits as a team, led by a 2-for-3 day from Madsen.