SEWARD, Neb. – Concordia University, Nebraska will take on the University of Saint Mary Top Gun Invite this coming weekend (Feb. 28-March 2). The Bulldogs are set to compete against six teams in three days at the Mid-America Sports Complex in Shawnee, Kan. Thus far, Head Coach Brock Culler and company have posted a 5-3 record after two weekends of finished softball.
This Weekend
--All games played at Mid-America Sports Complex in Shawnee, Kansas.
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Friday, Feb. 28 vs. MidAmerica Nazarene (3-5), 1:30 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 28 vs. Peru State (1-3), 4 p.m.
Saturday, March 1 vs. No. 18 Benedictine (6-4), 1:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 1 vs. No. 24 Baker (4-7), 4 p.m.
Sunday, March 2 vs. Graceland (5-3), 10 a.m.
Sunday, March 2 vs. Park (0-2), 12:30 p.m.
By the numbers
With games being rescheduled because of snowy weather conditions, Concordia found a way to play four games in a triangular at the ASB Sports Complex on Feb. 16-17 versus Bellevue University and No. 18 Benedictine College (Kan.). All three teams went 2-2 against each other as the Bulldogs defeated Benedictine 4-3 (9 Inn.) and fell to Bellevue (6-0) in the first contests. On day two, CUNE defeated the Bruins (9-4) and lost to the Ravens (7-3) in the final game.
Batting average leaders over the four games were Avery O’Boyle (.500), Taryn Ganstrom (.375), Jennifer Katz (.364), Kylie Shottenkirk (.333), Aubrey Bruning (.308), Delanie Voshell (.308) and Hanna Bowers (.308). Katz (.818), Ganstrom (.750), Shottenkirk (.500) and O’Boyle (.500) power-licked opposing pitches with team high slugging percentages. The Nemaha Central alum came in clutch with a couple two-baggers and two three-base hits. Bowers (five) and Voshell (four) paced in RBIs with Katz speeding around the bases delivering five runs and a stolen base.
Kaylei Denison and Ganstrom earned wins and posted weekend ERAs of 2.27 and 3.23, respectively. Denison, a sophomore out of Waverly, Neb., allowed nine hits, four runs and struck out seven in 12.1 innings pitched. Ganstrom, in relief, helped take the win over Benedictine on day one allowing one earned run and totaling two strikeouts in 3.2 frames.
Upcoming Opponents
With six different teams on deck, MidAmerica Nazarene University (Kan.) will be the first and has a 3-5 overall record. The Pioneers went 30-23 and 16-10 in the Heart of America Conference last year. Peru State College is 1-3 through four games with all four matchups against GPAC opponents. Also out of the Heart, the Bobcats defeated Waldorf (6-5) in Sioux Center. Benedictine and Concordia will settle the 1-1 tie as the Ravens have amassed a 6-4 overall showing. BC has gone 1-2 against GPAC opponents. Opening its season with a 4-7 record, Baker University (Kan.) will look to return to the national tournament after going 34-16 a year ago. Graceland University (Kan.) has an early 5-3 slate in its first eight games and went 26-23 in 2024. The Park Pirates are 0-2 but are scheduled for two doubleheaders before this weekend’s competition. The Heart foe went .500 (20-20) last season.
Up Next
The accepted invitation to Arizona will set Concordia to make the trek to Tucson and will face eight teams in four days. The Bulldogs will start their first game on March 9 and will stay until March 13 at Lincoln Park.