Head Coach: Brock Culler (38-55, 3rd season)
2024 Record: 23-25, 13-9 GPAC (T-3rd)
Key Returners: Hanna Bowers (2B); Aubrey Bruning (OF); Kaylie Denison (P); Megan Eurich (P); Laycee Josoff (SS); Jennifer Katz (OF); Aubriana Krieser (1B); Kylie Shottenkirk (1B/3B); Delanie Voshell (OF).
Key Losses: Taylor Glause (C); Julia Van Wey (1B/3B).
2024 GPAC All-Conference: Megan Eurich (First Team); Aubrey Bruning (Second Team); Taylor Glause (Second Team); Aubriana Krieser (Second Team); Kylie Shottenkirk (Second Team); Jennifer Katz (Honorable Mention); Laycee Josoff (Honorable Mention); Julia Van Wey (Honorable Mention); Delanie Voshell (Honorable Mention).
Outlook
It’s been a process, but the transformation of Concordia University, Nebraska Softball under Head Coach Brock Culler has entered another phase. The Bulldogs leveled up in 2024 when an April surge pushed them into third place in the final GPAC standings, just one year after they placed in a tie for 10th. The quantum leap forward has Concordia thinking big heading into 2025. The program graduated just three seniors from last season’s team and brings in a strong recruiting class meant to further fortify the roster.
Above all else, the Bulldogs needed to experience the success they got a taste for last spring. It was an injection of confidence for a group of upperclassmen that has navigated its share of ups and downs over the past few seasons. Culler has brought stability and an overwhelmingly positive voice to the dugout.
“Coaches and players are all on the same page,” Culler said. “The players are self-running a lot of things. The communication between the players and coaches is great. A lot of the conversations that are taking place gear more towards the potential of this season and what we have to do. They are owning it. They’re really buying into this whole thing. It gives me a lot of confidence – it really does … The confidence was the biggest thing – yeah, we can do this. Once they felt it themselves, it was really a big deal.”
The 13 GPAC wins the 2024 team posted were nine more than the total accumulated by the ’23 squad. Last April, Concordia reached a crossroads when it sat at 12-20 overall (2-6 GPAC) before showing its mettle. As part of a stretch of 10 wins in 11 games, ace pitcher Megan Eurich locked up opposing hitters and the likes of Kylie Shottenkirk and Aubriana Krieser caught fire at the plate. Looking forward to this spring, the Bulldogs believe they have put those past struggles behind them.
Culler and lead assistant coach Melissa Martinez welcome back seven of the team’s nine GPAC All-Conference award winners from 2024, including the Gretna, Neb., native Eurich, primed for a stellar senior season. That group of returning all-conference honorees includes second teamers in Krieser, Shottenkirk and outfielder Aubrey Bruning and honorable mention performers in outfielders Jennifer Katz and Delanie Voshell and shortstop Laycee Josoff. Bruning, Eurich, Katz, Krieser, Shottenkirk and Voshell make up a significant portion of the nine-member senior class.
That senior group is determined to set the tone for a 2025 team that believes it can compete with anyone in the GPAC. Said Eurich, “I think the senior class is outstanding. We’ve been through so much since our freshman year. It’s amazing how we’ve all stuck together, went through it and fought it out. Even though there have been some tough times we’ve had to go through along the way, I feel like we all kind of connected in that bond in helping us get to that next level. It’s an amazing ride that we’ve been on, and I can’t wait for this season.”
As someone who logged 196.2 innings in 2024, Eurich plays as important of a role as anyone on the team. Her meteoric rise to stardom has served as an incredible success story and a testament to what is possible for those who have the right kind of attitude and work ethic. Eurich even broke the program’s single season strikeout record with 194 last season. She will headline a pitching staff that also features junior Taryn Ganstrom and sophomore Kaylei Denison, among others.
A transfer from Southwestern Community College, Ganstrom developed into the team’s No. 2 pitcher in 2024 and posted a 3.72 ERA in 64 innings. As a freshman, Denison hinted at her vast potential. With all the key pieces back in place in this area, Culler feels strongly that pitching and defense will again be a strength in 2025. When times get tight, Culler will turn to Eurich, who relishes the big moments when the game is on the line.
“When her career’s all over, it’s going to be a really cool story,” said Culler of Eurich. “She’s had an outstanding journey. Really good work ethic. Great head on her shoulders. She’s really become more of a student of the game and understands more of the strategic side of pitching. I think that was a big reason for her success last year. This year, she’s got a lot of personal goals and team goals. She’s going to build on the momentum from last year. She really wants to close out her career and have a really good season this year for her team. “
As Eurich has trended upward, so too has Concordia’s offensive lineup. Three returners hit better than .300 in 2024: Krieser (.389), Bruning (.323) and Shottenkirk (.310). A senior with 123 career hits to her credit, Shottenkirk became so scalding hot in April that she was honored as the NAIA National Player of the Week. As of mid-January, Krieser (first base) and Shottenkirk (third base) project to hold down the corner infield spots. Meanwhile, the immensely talented sophomore Josoff will start at short and senior Hanna Bowers has her sights set on reclaiming the second base spot. At catcher, returners such as Montgomery Berner and Jayden Fernau bring experience while Avery O’Boyle is a freshman to watch.
In the outfield, Culler will have no shortage of options as all three starters return: Bruning, Katz and Voshell from left to right. The slap-hitting Bruning owns a career .313 batting average, 101 hits and 37 stolen bases in 129 games played as a Bulldog. Meanwhile, Katz (Southwestern CC transfer) collected 11 extra-base hits as the team’s center fielder and Voshell played a strong right field. There are also newcomers pushing for time in the outfield. With Krieser expected to play first base, the designated player spot is there for the taking for someone who can prove to be a productive hitter.
Considering the offensive talent, Concordia will expect to increase its average of 4.0 runs per game in 2024. Said Culler, “At one point we were in ninth place in the conference last year. We look around in our meeting room and there’s tons of talent on this team. We had to get our offense going. Our pitching has been really good with Megan and our defense was playing at a high level. We just needed our offense to match that. Once we got it going, you saw what happened. We went on that run. That momentum is going to be big going into this year.”
Added Culler of Krieser and Shottenkirk, “They’ve picked up right where they left off – even a bit better. They’re just a little bit smarter as far as their approach to the plate. They’re very talented offensively. Our hitting lineup is going to be very deep.”
The key in 2025 will be getting out of the gates faster. The 2023 and 2024 teams both struggled at the outset of conference action. But the Bulldogs believed they have learned from those experiences and are now better off. Picked fifth in the GPAC (according to the conference ranking posted to NAIA.org), Concordia is preparing and talking like a team that knows it can do some damage.
“I think this year is going to be an amazing year for us,” Eurich said. “My sophomore year we struggled. We had to fight our way back my junior year to try to get back to the GPAC tournament, and we did. We made it to the GPAC tournament and that was very eye-opening for all of us. Even though it felt a little bit short, we were able to experience what it’s like to be in the tournament. I feel like we have a very good team that’s ready to get out there and go play some games. I’m excited to see where we can go this year.”
Said Culler when asked about competing with the best of the GPAC, “I’m an optimistic person. I feel real good about this season and how we’re going to match up with those top teams in our conference. Our players feel the same way. They’re not overly confident, there’s just that feel. The way they conduct themselves gives me a lot of optimism.”
The 2025 season will get started immediately as the calendar flips to February. The weekend of Feb. 1-2, the Bulldogs are slated to play four games at the indoor American State Bank Sports Complex in Sioux Center, Iowa. Concordia will remain on the road for the entire month of February and for most of March. The complete 2025 schedule can be viewed HERE.