Bulldogs come up empty in California

Head coach Frank Greene’s Bulldog softball team looked to salvage its spring break trip on Wednesday by capping the eight-game road trip with a strong performance at William Jessup University. However, the Warrior pitchers dominated the Concordia hitters and swept the doubleheader by scores of 7-1 and 5-0 in Rocklin, Calif.

The Bulldogs combined for only four hits in the two games after struggling on Tuesday at Simpson University. Concordia did not manage a run in game one until the seventh and final inning when junior Amanda Baldwin tripled and then scored on Amber Topil’s groundout to second.

Concordia (2-9) again went with junior Amanda Beeson in the circle for game one and freshman Julia Tyree in game two. Tyree held up well through two innings as she kept William Jessup (18-8) off the scoreboard until a five-run outburst in the third inning. Tyree hurled all six innings in game two.

Beeson fired a six-inning complete game and gave up seven runs (four earned) on 10 hits and two walks to go along with three strikeouts. Once again she got little support from the Concordia hitters.

Hits were even more difficult to come by in game two. Warrior starter Andrea Lutz tossed a seven-inning perfect game as she set down all 21 batters she faced. Lutz struck out nine while recording the rest of the dozen outs on the ground.

In addition to Baldwin’s triple in game one, Liz Maxwell, Natalie Svoboda and Topil notched one hit apiece.

Junior Shelby Morose played in her first game of 2013 as she got the start at shortstop in game two. An injury had sidelined her for the first 10 contests.

Greene now hopes Concordia can regroup after a frustrating trip offensively. He believes the difficult nonconference slate will have it ready for GPAC play, which begins later this month.

The Bulldogs’ spring break California trip is now complete. They will return to action on March 20 when they travel to McPherson, Kan., to take on Central Christian College in a doubleheader set to begin at 2 p.m. Concordia will also challenge Kansas Wesleyan the next day in Salina, Kan. The home opener at Plum Creek Park is slated for Saturday, March 23 versus Dordt in a GPAC doubleheader.

The Concordia softball team will first enjoy a relaxing day of sight-seeing in California on Thursday before returning home on Friday.