TUCSON, Ariz. – It took some patience, but the Concordia University softball team finally had the opportunity to open up the 2019 season at the annual Tucson Invitational on Sunday (March 3). The Bulldogs came up short in contests against No. 15 University of St. Francis (Ill.), 2-1, and Madonna University (Mich.), 9-1 (six innings), in action at Lincoln Park in Tucson.
The games marked the official Concordia head coaching debut for Shawn Semler, who owns more than 400 career wins in previous collegiate head coaching stops at College of Saint Mary and Southwest Minnesota State. Semler spent a combined 14 seasons at those two schools.
“In a spring break type of situation you want to try to play quality opponents,” Semler said. “These games can help you at the end. We got two tough teams right off the bat. This is what we’re here for. We saw two good pitchers. We have to learn how to hit that if we are going to win the games we want to later in the year. It’s a learning experience and a learning day. The spring break environment is good for that.”
Semler certainly expects better days are ahead from an offensive standpoint. The Bulldogs were held to a combined six hits on the day. Concordia actually struck first with a first-inning run in both games. In the opener, sophomore MacKinsey Schmidt singled and later came around to score on a wild pitch. Then in the second outing, reigning GPAC Player of the Year Hhana Haro led the game off with a solo homer. Haro produced the team’s only two hits off of Madonna pitcher Madisen Henry.
Five Bulldog players also made their debuts in Concordia gray uniform tops complete with navy pants. Former Crete High School star Camry Moore worked in the circle in both games. She pitched solidly in her matchup with the nationally-ranked Saints. Moore allowed two runs (one earned) on seven hits (no walks) in 6.1 innings. St. Francis was a walk-off winner in the bottom of the seventh with the help of a throwing error.
Moore should only get better with more experience. Said Semler, “I don’t know if she had a whole lot of nerves. She threw amazingly well in game one. I don’t think she threw bad in game two. We kicked the ball around a little bit and didn’t help her out much. She showed us today that she’s the real deal. We just have to play defense behind her and we’re going to have to hit the ball.
Moore, Grace Bernhardt and Megan Klenke each pitched in the loss to the Crusaders. Madonna (8-3) run-ruled the Bulldogs by putting up one run in the second, two in the third, four in the fourth and two in the sixth.
In the morning game, Schmidt, Tori Homolka, Elanna Osthoff and Allysia Thayer recorded one hit apiece.
The 12-game run at the Tucson Invite will continue on Monday with two more games. Concordia will take on Missouri Valley College at 1:30 p.m. MT / 2:30 p.m. CT and then seventh-ranked Indiana Wesleyan University at 3:30 p.m. MT / 4:30 p.m. CT.
“It will be interesting to see how we bounce back,” Semler said. “I think before we leave Tucson we’re going to have a good idea where we are and what we need to work on.”