SEWARD, Neb. – The Bulldogs' offense surged towards a sweep of the Chargers in their home opener at Plum Creek Park on Friday (March 28). Hanna Bowers broke Briar Cliff’s spirit with a seventh inning walk off (7-6) and five of Head Coach Culler’s squad had multiple hits in the game two knockout blow (8-3). Taryn Ganstrom did it all for Concordia University, Nebraska Softball, coming in relief for the win in the circle.
The Bulldogs are two steps closer to a 20-win season, having posted a 19-9 overall showing and a 4-2 GPAC record. Coach Culler moves his record to 4-2 versus the Chargers.
“Anytime you get a sweep in conference play, it’s a good day,” Coach Culler said. “We were happy with that. I’m real proud of our team's resiliency in game one. Our defense didn’t help us at all, and we got down. Our team competed. To get that walk-off was huge for us, and it built momentum going into game two. Our defense didn’t help us again in game two, but we are really happy to get out of here with two wins.”
Down 6-5 in game one going into the final frame, Ganstrom doubled and Aubriana Krieser singled to put two runners in scoring position. Hanna Bowers stepped to the plate and cracked a walk off double, scoring Ganstrom and pinch runner Aubrey Wright.
After giving up an early lead, Krieser hulk smashed a homer (first season) into dead center for three total runs batted in. The Lincoln North Star product would finish batting 4-for-6 and totaled five RBIs and two runs scored.
Ganstrom relieved Megan Eurich in the 5th and calmed the storm to deliver a three inning shutout. The Seneca, Kan., native allowed only two hits and gave up zero walks while also having a team high five hits (5-for-7), five runs scored, a triple, two doubles, an RBI, and a walk.
Said Ganstrom, “It feels great. It was great having all of our fans in the stands. I liked that we could come out and win for them and show them what we are capable of. They were struggling with the same pitches and grounding out into our defense. It was really a team effort to get out of those three innings.”
In game two, Concordia did all its damage (14 hits) in the middle innings, scoring four in the third. Ganstrom (three), Krieser (two), Jennifer Katz (two), Avery O’Boyle (two) and Delanie Voshell (two) all had multiple knocks in the second contest.
The Bulldogs bullied the Chargers pitchers with 25 total base hits.
Kaylei Denison (7-1) grabbed another win, allowing seven hits, two earned runs, two walks and five strikeouts in seven innings pitched.
Concordia (19-9, 4-2 GPAC) will host Midland (21-10, 3-1 GPAC) on Wednesday (April 2). The Bulldogs and Warriors will pitch the first toss at 4 p.m. CT in Plum Creek Park. Coach Culler is 0-4 against the visitors, having lost 9-1 and 5-0 in last year’s doubleheader.