SEWARD, Neb. – The Concordia softball team will face two GPAC opponents this week. The Bulldogs will host Midland University on Tuesday for a double-header before traveling to Yankton, S.D. to take on Mount Marty College on Saturday.
GAME INFO
Midland University (19-11, 7-7 GPAC) at Concordia University (26-13, 7-7 GPAC)
Tuesday, April 19 | 5 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Site: Plum Creek Park | Seward, Neb.
Webcast: Concordia Sports Network
GAME INFO
Concordia University (26-13, 7-7 GPAC) at Mount Marty College (9-18, 2-10 GPAC)
Saturday, April 23 | 1 p.m. & 3 p.m.
Site: Riverside Softball Diamonds | Yankton S.D.
Last time out
Concordia has been in a bit of a slump after winning one of its last six contests. The Bulldogs were swept for the first time this season by Dakota Wesleyan on Saturday. On Wednesday, Concordia and Nebraska Wesleyan split a double header in Lincoln.
GPAC grade
The Concordia softball squad is currently tied with Midland for fifth in the conference. As a team, the Bulldogs lead the GPAC in batting average (.343), slugging percentage (.496), runs scored per game (6.78), triples per game (0.49) and total triples (18), rank second in fielding percentage (.959), hits per game (9.78), RBI per game (6.03) and at bats per game (28.54), rank third in hits (362) and doubles (63) and are tied for third in stolen bases (55). Below is a list of individual top-10 rankings in the league.
Kylie Harpst – wins, tied for fourth (12); batting average, fifth (.416); slugging percentage, tied for ninth (.632); runs scored per game, seventh (0.92); total runs scored, ninth (33); hits per game, third (1.44); total hits, sixth (52); triples per game, first (0.14); total triples, first (5); total bases per game, fourth (2.19); total bases, tied for fifth (79); stolen bases per game, fifth (0.33); total stolen bases, fifth(12); steal attempts per game, sixth (0.36); total steal attempts, sixth (13); at bats per game, third (3.47); total at bats, tied for 10th (125)
Taylor Huff – slugging percentage, tied for ninth (.632); hits per game, ninth (1.30); total hits, tied for ninth (48); RBI per game, tied for third(1.00); total RBI, fifth (37); doubles per game, 10th (0.32); total doubles, eighth (12); total bases per game, tied for eighth (2.14); total bases, tied for fifth (79); total at bats, tied for 10th (125)
Leah Kalkwarf – stolen bases per game, sixth (0.30); total stolen bases, sixth (11); steal attempts per game, fifth (0.38); total steal attempts, fifth (14)
Diana Mendoza – total steal attempts, tied for ninth (10)
Autumn Owens – slugging percentage, sixth (.670); RBI per game, tied for third (1.00); total RBI, tied for sixth (36); total doubles, tied for ninth (11); home runs per game, fifth (0.19); total home runs, tied for fourth (7); total bases per game, seventh (2.14); total bases, tied for 10th (77)
Megan Ruppert – triples per game, fifth (0.08); total triples, tied for third (3); stolen bases per game, 10th (0.25); total stolen bases, tied for ninth (9)
Julia Tyree – putouts per game, 10th (4.75); total putouts, 10th (152)
Michaela Woodward – fielding percentage, tied for first (1.00); innings pitched per game, 10th (5.24); innings pitched, eighth (103)
Fielding with ease
The Bulldogs have a team has a conference second-best 95.9 fielding percentage. Seven ‘Dogs have a perfect mark in the category. Pitcher Michaela Woodward is atop the 100 percent club with 72 total chances. Julia Tyree leads the entire team in chances with 165 and has a 97.6 fielding percentage with just four errors. No member of the team has committed more than 10 errors through 39 contests.
National rankings
The Bulldog squad ranks in the top-40 in nearly 20 different statistical categories including seventh in triples per game (0.47), 10th in total triples (18), 13th in RBI per game (6.03), 14th in runs scored per game (6.78) and at bats per game (28.54) and 15th in hits per game (9.78). Below is a list of individual top-15 rankings in the nation.
Kylie Harpst – total triples, tied for 11th (5); triples per game, 11th (.14)
Michaela Woodward – fielding percentage, tied for first (1.00)
Quotable
“It’s the same song, second verse. We’re right there. Again we had the lead. In the first game I was definitely proud of the girls for battling and coming back and tying it up. This time we went nine innings. We got out of some jams and in the games you lose you have to look at the positives. We did what we do best and that’s regroup and battle in the second game.”
-Head coach Todd LaVelle on the split with Nebraska Wesleyan
Scouting the opponents
Midland University Warriors
The Warriors of Midland University hold a 19-22 overall record and a 7-7 mark in the GPAC. The Warriors have a team batting average of .304 and a 34.9 on-base percentage. Midland’s pitching staff owns a 4.99 ERA and its opponents bat .348 against them. The Warriors are led by head coach Mike Heard who is in his first year at Midland. Heard is assisted by Beth Singleton, Theo Bland and Nicole Andrews.
Mount Marty College Lancers
The Lancers of Mount Marty College are 9-18, 2-10 GPAC so far this season. As a team, the Lancers have a .271 batting average and a 31.6 on-base percentage. The Mount Marty pitching crew has a 6.18 ERA and an opponents’ batting average of .332. The Lancers are led by head coach Albert Fernandez who is in his 11th season at Mount Marty. Fernandez is assisted by Kim Velk and Sophia Lopez.
Up next
Next week, the Concordia softball team will round out its regular season. The Bulldogs will travel to College of Saint Mary on Wednesday, April 27 before hosting Dordt College on Saturday, April 30. Both days will feature double-headers.