SEWARD, Neb. – The Concordia softball team is set to wrap up its regular season schedule this week. On Monday and Saturday the Bulldogs will host two GPAC opponents. College of Saint Mary will host Concordia on Friday.
GAME INFO
Midland University (20-23, 8-8 GPAC) at Concordia University (27-14, 8-8 GPAC)
Monday, April 25 | 5 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Site: Plum Creek Park | Seward, Neb.
Webcast: Concordia Sports Network
GAME INFO
Concordia University (27-14, 8-8 GPAC) at College of Saint Mary (18-16, 6-12 GPAC)
Wednesday, April 29 | 3 p.m. & 5 p.m.
Site: Heritage Park | Omaha, Neb.
GAME INFO
Dordt College (22-18, 8-8 GPAC) at Concordia University (27-14, 8-8 GPAC)
Senior Day
Saturday, April 30 | 1 p.m. & 3 p.m.
Site: Plum Creek Park | Seward, Neb.
Webcast: Concordia Sports Network
Last time out
Due to rain, the Bulldogs competed in just one double-header last week. Mount Marty and Concordia split a league twin bill on Saturday. Concordia won the first game 5-3 while losing the second, 13-3 in five innings.
GPAC grade
The Concordia softball squad is currently tied with Dordt and Midland for fourth place in the GPAC. As a team in the conference, the Bulldogs lead in batting average (.339), slugging percentage (.492), triples per game (0.46) and total triples (18), rank second in fielding percentage (.959), runs scored per game (6.64), hits per game (9.59), RBI per game (5.85) and at bats per game (28.28) and rank third in total hits (374), doubles per game (1.72) and total doubles (67). Below is a list of individual top-10 rankings in the league.
Kylie Harpst – wins, tied for fifth (12); batting average, sixth (.402); slugging percentage, 10th (.606); runs scored per game, eighth (0.87); hits per game, third (1.40); total hits, tied for sixth (53); triples per game, first (0.13); total triples, first (5); total bases per game, tied for sixth (2.10); total bases, tied for ninth (80); stolen bases per game, fifth (0.32); total stolen bases, fifth (12); steal attempts per game, sixth (0.34); total steal attempts, tied for sixth (13); at bats per game, fourth (3.47)
Taylor Huff – hits per game, 10th (1.23); RBI per game, fifth (0.95); total RBI, tied for fifth (37); total doubles, tied for eighth (12); total home runs, tied for 10th (5); total bases per game, ninth (2.03)
Leah Kalkwarf – stolen bases per game, sixth (0.28); total stolen bases, sixth (11); steal attempts per game, fifth (0.36); total steal attempts, fifth (14)
Autumn Owens – slugging percentage, fifth (.667); RBI per game, fourth (0.97); total RBI, tied for fifth (37); doubles per game, 10th (0.32); total doubles, tied for eighth (12); home runs per game, fifth (0.18); total home runs, tied for fourth (7); total bases per game, tied for sixth (2.10); total bases, tied for ninth (80)
Megan Ruppert – triples per game, fourth (0.08); total triples, tied for fourth (3); stolen bases per game, ninth (0.26); total stolen bases, tied for seventh (10); steal attempts per game, ninth (0.29); total steal attempts, tied for ninth (11)
Michaela Woodward – fielding percentage, tied for first (1.00); innings pitched per game, 10th (5.23); batters struck out, tied for 10th (56); batting average, 10th (.391); on-base percentage, tied for 10th (.450)
Fielding with ease
The Bulldogs, as a team, have 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 75 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 41 contests.
National rankings
The Bulldog squad ranks in the top-50 in nearly 20 different statistical categories including seventh in triples per game (0.46), 13th in total triples(18), 17th in hits per game (9.60) and 18th in RBI per game (5.85) and slugging percentage (.492). Below is a list of individual top-20 rankings in the nation.
Kylie Harpst – triples per game, 13th (.13); total triples, 16th (5)
Michaela Woodward – fielding percentage, tied for first (1.00)
Quotable
“We’re going to try to continue to improve each and every time we take the field. We want to try to enjoy these last two weeks. I just feel like the girls are playing with a lot of pressure right now. We’re not going to dwell on the loss. We’re just going to move forward. I have faith in the girls. There are better times ahead.”
-Head coach Todd LaVelle
Scouting the opponents
Midland University Warriors
The Warriors of Midland University hold a 20-23 overall record and an 8-8 mark in the GPAC. The Warriors have a team batting average of .305 and a 35.0 on-base percentage. Midland’s pitching staff owns a 4.94 ERA and its opponents bat .347 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.
College of Saint Mary Flames
The Flames of College of Saint Mary are currently 18-16 overall and 6-12 in the conference. College of Saint Mary has a team .285 batting average and a 33.5 on-base percentage. The Flames’ pitching crew holds a 3.06 ERA and a .258 opponent batting average. The Flames are led by head coach Carolyn Bray who is in her first season at College of Saint Mary. Bray is assisted by Bob Cannon and Jamie Zimmerer.
Dordt College Defenders
The Defenders of Dordt College own an overall record of 22-18 and an 8-8 mark in the GPAC. The Defenders have a team batting average of .286 and a 36.0 on-base percentage. Dordt’s pitchers hold a 2.89 ERA and a .278 opponent batting average. The Defenders are led by head coach Jeff Zomer who has been at Dordt for six years. Zomer is assisted by Ken Roseberry.
Up next
The GPAC softball tournament will begin Wednesday, May 4th. The time and location of the tournament will be announced at a later date after all regular season tilts are complete.