SHAWNEE, Kan. – Concordia University, Nebraska Softball competed against a higher level of competition on Saturday (March 1), dropping two games to 18th-ranked Benedictine (Kan.), 9-0, and 24th-ranked Baker University (Kan.), 3-0. The Bulldogs played round two at the Mid-America Sports Complex in the Top Gun Invite.
The road Dawgs drop to .500 (6-6) and will have two more opportunities tomorrow in Shawnee, Kansas.
“We were bad in the first game against Benedictine,” said Coach Culler. “I thought our team bounced back against Baker and competed well. The pitcher Kira Baker (Wildcats) is really good. We put the bat on the ball, but the ones we hit hard were right at them. We never felt like we were out of that game, but Baker is a great team. Deni threw really well. Baker is a very disciplined offensive team. Kaylei and our defense played really well in that game. It is the type of softball that I am used to watching our team play.”
It is not often that one inning defines a game, but the second frame produced all nine runs for the Ravens in the five inning contest. Down 6-0, the Bulldogs subbed in Taryn Ganstrom to the circle and after giving up a homer, she sat down 10 straight batters (two strikeouts) in 3.1 inning pitched.
“Taryn is just…always in a competitive mode. That’s what makes her so great. She is constantly analyzing everything, when it goes good or bad, and she adds that to her tool belt. She thrives on it. She is such a good defender and leader in the circle.”
Even with Ganstrom moving past opposing hitters, Benedictine’s Lily SinghDillon pitched a no-hitter with one walk and nine strikeouts.
Facing two-time all-american Kira Baker, Concordia tried to make the most of its at-bats but came away with three total hits by Aubriana Krieser, Montgomery Berner and Tobi Topp. Baker pitched seven innings while only allowing three hits, one walk and striking out six. Topp, a Lloydminster, Canada, native swiped a bag apiece in each contest.
Pitcher Kaylei Denison gave up two earned runs in her first loss of the season (3-1) striking out three in 30 batters faced. The Waverly High product gave up seven hits and two walks in seven frames.
In hitting, the Ravens were lead by Kaelyn Fisher (2-for-2) with three RBIs and one run plus Alena Velilla (2-for-3) with three RBIs and two runs. Both had a stolen base apiece. The Wildcats were paced by Riley Phillips (3-for-3) with two RBIs and Rachel Pederson (2-for-3) adding two runs.
Concordia (6-6) will have two games on the final day of competition in the Top Gun Invite on Sunday. The Bulldogs will look to defeat Graceland University (Kan.) and Park University (Mo.) starting at 10 a.m. CT.