ABERDEEN, S.D. – The Concordia University Softball team feels snakebit at this point. The Bulldogs fell twice more on Friday (April 14) despite owning a three-run, eighth-inning lead in game one of the doubleheader. Jamestown came away with wins by scores of 6-5 and 7-2 in action that took place at the home of Northern State University in Aberdeen, S.D., where temperatures hovered in the 40s. On a positive note, Concordia catcher Taylor Glause recorded the 100th hit of her collegiate career.
This was a matchup of two teams that have struggled in conference play. Unfortunately, the skid continues into the weekend for Head Coach Brock Culler’s squad, which stands at 12-23 overall (1-11 GPAC).
“Right now, our pitching is consistent and our hitting has gotten better,” Culler said. “Our defense isn’t good enough and that’s really hurting us. We hit the ball and the momentum was in our favor (in the eighth inning of game one). Our kids were excited – our fans were excited. We were hitting the ball hard but right at people in the second game. It was one right after the other. A lot of us have never been in a streak like this before, but we’re going to keep fighting through it.”
The Bulldogs are still looking for a conference win that could help turn the tide over the second half of the GPAC regular season slate. Friday’s first game looked promising when Concordia struck for three runs in the top of the eighth. Glause broke the 2-2 tie with an RBI double (100th career hit). The Bulldogs tacked on thanks to Caitlyn McGarvie’s RBI single and Julia Van Wey’s RBI double. McGarvie led the offensive attack with three hits, including a pair of doubles.
However, the 5-2 lead melted away as Jamestown (15-15, 2-6 GPAC) won in dramatic fashion. A two-run triple by Ally Battistoni tied the score, 5-5, with one out in the bottom of the eighth. Concordia pitcher Megan Eurich then retired the next batter on a come-backer before a wild pitch chased home the walk-off run for the Jimmies. The rough bottom of the eighth spoiled what had been a strong outing for Eurich, who piled up 10 strikeouts in 7.2 innings. The sophomore from Gretna, Neb., surrendered two runs in the first and then put up zeroes in the second through seventh frames.
In game two, Jamestown pitcher Abby Blair worked six strong innings (one earned run allowed) and one big inning doomed the Bulldogs. The Jimmies rattled off five runs in the third inning in taking a commanding 6-0 advantage. Concordia got its runs via Kylie Shottenkirk RBI double in the fifth and a McGarvie bases-loaded walk in the seventh. The game’s final out was recorded with the bags full of Bulldogs.
Also noteworthy, Concordia’s defensive play was a bit too leaky with five combined errors on the day. Offensively, the Bulldogs totaled 14 hits, including three apiece from Glause, McGarvie and Shottenkirk. In game two, Jerzi Rowe pitched all six innings, allowing seven runs (two earned) on 10 hits and two walks while striking out two.
The Bulldogs will remain in South Dakota in preparation for Sunday’s doubleheader at Dakota Wesleyan (6-23, 1-9 GPAC). First pitch is set for 1 p.m. CT from Cadwell Park in Mitchell. The twin bill was originally slated to be played on Saturday, but it was pushed back one day due to expected inclement weather. Concordia and DWU split a doubleheader last season in Seward.