SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – Concordia University, Nebraska defeated Bellevue University to punch out a win (9-4) at the ASB Sports Complex on Monday (Feb. 17). The Bulldogs mashed 15 hits taking over in the seventh inning. Facing No. 18 Benedictine College (Kan.), the Ravens got the better of CUNE in the latter frames (7-3).
After a 2-2 split this week, the Bulldogs are 5-3 early in this young campaign and the potential continues to rise with every game played.
“We played with a lot of energy today,” said Head Coach Brock Culler. “We played with a lot of grit. We never stopped competing. I really wanted to find out who we were and this weekend was a good test for that. Benedictine and Bellevue are two really good teams, but we are too. This was high level softball. Offensively, we had a lot of good things going against Bellevue. That was great to see. This made me feel really good about this team's potential this year.”
After Bellevue shut out (one hit) Concordia on Sunday, the Dawgs whipped the ball from start to finish with 15 total hits (three multi-base) and forced a pitching change after just two innings. There were many pivotal moments but in the third inning, the Bruins had bases loaded with no outs, only down 3-1. Starting pitcher Kaylei Denison responded to the charged climax with a strikeout, pop out and one hit leaving the Bulldogs still in front, 3-2.
Culler said, “That was monstrous. We called a timeout and said the only way to get out of this is one out at a time. That was a really huge moment.”
In the top of the 7th, CUNE had only a one run lead before stamping out all hope for their opponents in a five-run inning (seven singles). Delanie Voshell (two RBI), Hanna Bowers, Laycee Josoff and Aubrey Bruning all tallied RBIs in the final offensive showing. Ganstrom (1-0) entered the circle for the first time this season and pitched 3.2 innings, two strikeouts and two earned runs in her winning debut. Those with multiple hits were Bowers (3-for-4), Krieser (2-for-4), Bruning (2-for-4), Shottenkirk (2-for-4) and Ganstrom (2-5).
In game two, The Bulldogs jumped out early (2-1) on Benedictine with three early triples by Katz, Ganstrom and Shottenkirk. With the Katz three-bagger, the Louisville High alum has eclipsed 100 hits in her collegiate career. In the bottom of the fifth, the Ravens climbed to their first lead (5-2) off a RBI doubles by Amanda Waymore and by Chloe Strickland. Katz tore the cover off another ball for her second triple of the game and eventually scored in the sixth.
Ganstrom had a busy but productive day going 4-for-9, hitting two triples, a double, three runs and an RBI. The Seneca, Kan., native also pitched in both games for 4.1 innings pitched (total).
“She’s absolutely incredible right now. Everything she is hitting is squared up and solid. She is seeing the ball really well and pitching with confidence. She is a true threat in the circle and inside the batter’s box.”
The Bruins were led by Breanne McMurtry (3-for-4) with a home run, two runs and an RBI. Mariah Unverzagt pitched two innings, allowed five hits, three earned runs, one strikeout and one walk. Benedictine were led by Megan Forsman (2-4) having a game high four RBIs and a two-bag hit. Lacey Foster (2-0) gathered one strikeout, three hits, and one earned run in 3.1 innings pitched.
Concordia (5-3) is scheduled to travel to the University of Saint Mary Top Gun NAIA Invite on Feb. 28-March 2. The Bulldogs will face six different teams in six games starting with MidAmerica Nazarene University (Kan.) on Tuesday. The invite will take place at the Mid America Complex in Shawnee, Mo.