SEWARD, Neb. – The Bulldogs and Lancers battled in two one-run contests that ended in a split on senior day. Concordia University, Nebraska Softball fell in game one (2-1) despite a great performance via Megan Eurich and clinched game two (4-3) with some clutch hitting and defense. Eight seniors were honored on Saturday (April 19) in Plum Creek Park.
The Dawgs move to 25-17 overall and are .500 (10-10) in the conference.
“Stay with our noses to the grindstone,” Coach Culler said. “It was important for us to stay composed and be more disciplined at the plate. I thought, Offensively, we did a good job in the second game. I love the way that it was two one-run games. We had to grind to get this thing. That’s what I like.”
In the second game, the two teams were deadlocked at three in the bottom of the fourth. Freshman Avery O’Boyle drove in Taryn Ganstrom with a three-bagger to put Concordia up one. With one out and a Lancer on first, Janeah Castro laced the ball to center field in what was sure to be an RBI double until Jennifer Katz dove for the SportsCenter top-10-like grab.
Said Culler, “That catch was monstrous. Not only was it incredible, she was completely parallel to the ground. She doesn’t make that catch, they tie the game.”
Kaylei Denison hurled seven innings and allowed three runs but struck out six Mount Marty batters in her 11th win.
In the opening frame, Senior Delanie Voshell doubled to left center to score O’Boyle and Aubriana Krieser. The right fielder, out of Shenandoah, Iowa, also tripled in game one and scored the lone run in the first contest. O’Boyle mashed a double and triple collecting an RBI and a run scored.
The Lancers used a two-hit inning to score the first run, and the Bulldogs evened the score via a Hanna Bowers sacrifice fly. Mount Marty would use the same formula to gather the eventual game-winning run from a Lilinoe Nihi RBI single.
Eurich took the loss but had an impressive outing, only giving up two runs and zero walks while striking out six in seven innings pitched.
Concordia honored eight seniors, including Hanna Bowers, Aubrey Bruning, Megan Eurich, Zoe Isom, Jennifer Katz, Kylie Shottenkirk, Bethany Thomas and Delanie Voshell.
Said Culler, “Consistency. They have stuck it out when it hasn’t been easy. We have had some tough moments and some really good moments. This group of seniors has a lot of passion. They care a lot about each other and the program. When it's all said and done, they will have left their footprint on this program for sure.”
Concordia (25-17) and Bellevue University (25-17) will play one game this coming Wednesday (April 23). The contest is set to start at 6 p.m. CT at Plum Creek Park in Seward.