HASTINGS, Neb. – It had been exactly two weeks since the Concordia University Softball team last played in game action, but it was difficult to tell by the results. Kylee Nixon homered in the first Bulldog at bat of the night while setting the tone for two victories at Hastings on Thursday (March 25). Concordia muscled up for five home runs while winning by scores of 8-0 and 12-3 in a pair of run-rule shortened contests played at Smith Softball Complex (originally scheduled at Plum Creek Park).
Head Coach Shawn Semler’s squad sits just on the outside of the NAIA top 25 and now sports an impressive 16-2 overall record, which represents the best 18-game start to a season in program history.
It was a huge day for the likes of Regan Karel (5-for-5), Tori Homolka (4-for-5), Nixon (4-for-5) and Hhana Haro (4-for-6), each of which collected at least four hits and at least one homer apiece. The Bulldog bats stung the Broncos with big innings. Concordia put four on the board in the bottom of the fifth of game 1 (to enact the run rule) and then piled up nine runs in the second inning of game 2.
The break in the action did nothing to stop the shortstop Homolka, who has been wrecking the softball. In the night cap, she cracked a three-run homer in the second and then a two-run blast in the third while powering the blowout. In game 1, not only did Nixon lead off the bottom of the first with a homer, Haro and Karel rocketed two-run homers in the fifth to end the game early. Karel knocked in two runs in both ends of the twin bill.
Camry Moore enjoyed a fine day of her own in going a combined 3-for-6 at the plate with a pair of RBIs. She pitched game 1 and recorded a three-hit, five-inning shutout. Moore worked out of a jam in the fifth when Hastings put runners on second and third with nobody out. The Crete High School alum is now 9-1 with a 1.49 ERA. In game 2, Jerzi Rowe picked up the win while pitching in relief.
Seven Bulldogs notched at least one hit on the day. In the second game, Brena Brown went 2-for-3 with two runs and a double. Homolka led the way with five RBIs and 10 total bases as part of her continued hot hitting. This lineup only gets better as Haro heats up. The home run she belted was her first this season and 14th of her career.
This was also the start of conference play for the Broncos (8-13, 0-2 GPAC), who hadn’t had much luck getting games in lately either. Taylor Stuhr emerged with a solo homer in game 2. Hastings was picked 11th in the GPAC preseason poll.
The home opener has been delayed multiple times, but the Bulldogs now look forward to hosting Northwestern (14-6, 1-1 GPAC) at 1 p.m. CT on Saturday. Based on the most recent GPAC ratings, it will be a battle between the league’s second and fifth-rated squads. The Red Raiders began conference play with a split versus Jamestown. Fan attendance will not be restricted at Plum Creek Park (masks required).