TUCSON, Ariz. – The Concordia University Softball team played day three of four in the Tucson Invitational, showing grit against stiff competition. The Bulldogs in the pitchers’ circle came to play and the defense stood tall behind them in a 7-2 win over the Valley City State University (N.D.) and a 0-1 loss to the University of Saint Francis (Ill.). Megan Eurich and Kaylei Denison allowed only one earned run apiece in each contest, keeping opposing offenses away from home plate in both outings.
The squad under Head Coach Brock Culler has continued to get better each time they step on the field. Concordia has a 4-2 record in Arizona and an 8-12 record overall. Coach Culler raved about his team’s progression and the two in the pitchers' lane.
“The first game Megan was dealing once she settled in, and our offense just took off. We put a lot of pressure on them (VCSU) and were taking some extra bags. We challenged our offense to get to the next step and they responded. It was great to start off with a win. Laycee (Josoff) made some incredible defensive plays and really our whole defense has a lot of chemistry right now. The confidence on defense continues to keep growing. That Saint Francis team is good. Kaylei (Denison) kept them off balance and got out of some big innings. I was really proud of her today. Her curveball was good but her rise ball was fantastic.”
Delanie Voshell and Jennifer Katz got the team going in the second, giving Concordia a two run lead. In the fourth, the Bulldogs lit the scoreboard up with a hit from Julia Van Wey, Hanna Bowers, Kylie Shottenkirk, Aubrey Bruning, Laycee Josoff and Katz. They would total five runs on six hits to take a 7-0 lead on Valley City State. Megan Eurich continued to hold off a feisty Vikings squad that continued to swing the bat but only gave in two runs in 7 innings pitched, six strikeouts and 11 hits in 35 batters faced.
Kaylei Denison didn’t have the prettiest stat line (6.2 IP, 8 H, 7 BB) but when her back was against the wall, the freshman out of Waverly, Neb., allowed only one run in an all-out pitcher's duel. The defense would back Denison in moments of pressure, but one run was enough for a tough St. Francis team. The offensive bats for the Bulldogs were stifled in the second game as the team collected one hit by the left fielder Bruning.
The junior out of Lincoln, Neb., paced the team with three hits and two runs for the day. Katz picked up from yesterday with two triples and three RBIs, as Josoff had two RBIs versus the Vikings. The veteran Shottenkirk picked up an RBI and a run.
Concordia (8-12) will finish its final day in Tucson and will hope to have success against Mayville State University (N.D.) and Viterbo University (Wis.) on Friday (March 7). The last two games fall later in the day, as the first game is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. MT / 2:30 p.m CT and the second at 3:30 p.m. MT / 4:30 p.m. CT.