SHAWNEE, Kan. – The Bulldogs defeated Peru State College, 4-1, but would drop their opening game in the final full inning to MidAmerica Nazarene University, 7-6, on day one (Feb. 28) of the Top Gun Invite. Pitcher Megan Eurich hurled strikeouts (nine) past the Bobcats at the Mid-America Sports Complex. Jennifer Katz paced Concordia University, Nebraska going 4-for-7 in Shawnee, Kan.
Head Coach Brock Culler’s squad lifts to 6-4 overall with four more games left in the road trip.
“It was a breath of fresh air to see,” said Coach Culler. “The big focus for Megan was locating her lower pitches. We were missing low pitches belt high last week, so that was a big focus for her workouts. Man, when she can hit her spots like that, it sets up her other pitches so good. She was throwing with a lot of confidence today. We didn’t pitch real well in the first game. I was proud of how we came out and got the 6-2 lead, but from then on, we just underperformed.”
Eurich, out of character, started the year 0-3 but returned to the circle as the premier strikeout gunslinger scorching the opposing batters with six scoreless innings versus Peru State. The Gretna High alum would end giving in one run, four hits and three walks in 29 batters faced.
The Bulldogs broke the scoreless tie in the fourth when Jennifer Katz singled to drive in Taryn Ganstrom. They extended the lead in the fifth with a solo home run from Grace Maguire – the first of her career. The sixth inning proved decisive, as Hanna Bowers’ RBI double and Maguire’s groundout plated two more runs, pushing the score to 4-0. Peru State mounted a late rally in the seventh but would only see one runner touch the final bag.
Center Fielder Katz starred in game one going 3-for-4 with a home run, two RBIs, three assists and three punch outs. The Louisville High product leads the Dawgs in season slugging percentage (.773).
“Incredible day. She hit the home run and sprinkled in some hits here and there, but in game one she threw three people out at home plate. It was insane. Jen had one of the best individual game performances that I have seen in a very long time.”
In game one, Concordia started strong, jumping to a 6-2 lead by the third inning, powered by Jennifer Katz’s two-run slam and a solid offensive output with 11 hits. Aubrey Bruning (2-for-4) and Avery O’Boyle (2-for-4) also made key contributions, each scoring twice, while Taryn Ganstrom drove in a pair of runs. Pitching began couldn’t hold up late for the Dawgs as Kaylei Denison struggled, allowing five runs (three earned) over 3.1 innings, and Ganstrom (1-1), despite a decent relief effort, gave up the decisive two runs in the sixth.
MidAmerica Nazarene leaned on Kelly Stoakes, who went a perfect 4-for-4 with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored, including the go-ahead run in the sixth. Their 14 hits kept the pressure on, with Brie Manwarren sealing the win with an RBI single in the sixth to plate Stoakes. Mandy Brown’s relief pitching was just enough – four scoreless innings with five strikeouts.
Concordia (6-4) will hit the diamonds once again in Shawnee, Kan., as the level of competition ramps up with back to back ranked opponents. The Bulldogs will face two teams from Kansas, No. 18 Benedictine College (6-4) and No. 24 Baker University (4-7). First pitches are set for 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. CT.