Concordia extends winning streak to six with sweep of Central Christian

The Concordia University, Nebraska, softball team extended its season-high winning streak to six games with a sweep of Central Christian College on Wednesday, March 28.  The Bulldogs took the first game 8-3, then rallied for a 12-4 (6) win the second game. 

Following Wednesday's doubleheader, Concordia is 10-8 on the year.  Central Christian, meanwhile, fell to 0-26. 

Game One:  Concordia 8, Central Christian 3

Despite four fielding errors, the Bulldogs had a rather easy time in the first game with the Central Christian Tigers.  Down 1-0 entering the bottom of the second, the Bulldogs plated two runs on two hits.  

Sophomore Shelby Morose (Claremore, Okla.) started the rally with a one-out single to left.  Morose stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch, then sophomore Natalie Jeppesen (Pleasant Dale, Neb.) followed with a walk.   Senior Alyssa Bauwens (Perryville, Mo.) drive in Morose on a sacrifice fly that was dropped, then freshman Molly Madsen (Thornton, Colo.) drove a single through the left side to give the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead. 

After Central Christian tied the game with a run in the top of the second, Jeppesen blasted a two-run double into right field to put Concordia in front for good.  

The Bulldogs went on to claim the game, 8-3.  In addition to Morose and Jeppesen, junior Nicole Mapes (Greeley, Colo.) had a big game at the plate as she was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI. 

Sophomore Amanda Beeson (Waverly, Neb.) earned her third win of the season (3-5) with four innings of scoreless relief, allowing just one hit. 

The Tigers' Desiree Yandel fell to 0-7 on the season with the loss, allowing eight runs on seven hits and two walks in four innings. 

Game Two:  Concordia 12, Central Christian 4 (six innings)

Giving significant time to reserve players, the Bulldogs found themselves trailing Central Christian 4-2 entering the bottom of the fifth inning.  

The Concordia offense turned up the pressure in the fifth, forcing three Tiger errors that led to two Bulldog runs.  

Tied 4-4 in the bottom of the sixth, Concordia ended the game with eight runs on six hits and an error without giving up an out in the frame.  Junior Natalie Svoboda (Lincoln, Neb.) came on in the fifth inning to ignite her team as she finished the game 1-for-2 with two RBI and two runs scored. 

Svoboda delivered a two-run single in the sixth inning, while Jeppesen smacked a two-run double and Madsen capped the game with a two-run single up the middle. 

Jeppesen finished game two, 2-for-3 with four RBI. 

Senior Nicole Sempek (Columbus, Neb.) moved to 7-3 on the season with the win.  She allowed four runs on eight hits in six innings for her ninth complete game of the year. 

Central Christian's Mallory Smith took the loss (0-8) as she allowed nine runs on nine hits and three walks in five innings. 

Concordia returns to action on Friday, March 30 as the Bulldogs travel to Lindsborg, Kan. for a doubleheader with Bethany College beginning at 5 p.m.