CRETE, Neb. – A seven-game series win streak over rival Doane fell by the wayside on Tuesday (March 28) in Crete, Neb. Up against former ally Camry Moore and the Tigers, the Bulldogs were defeated by scores of 6-2 and 7-5. There were signs of progress offensively compared to the past week, but Concordia allowed opportunities to slip through its fingers. It standard the bases loaded to end the second game.
Head Coach Brock Culler’s squad had opened conference play this past Saturday with a split versus Morningside. The Bulldogs dipped to 12-15 overall (1-3 GPAC) after two competitive losses.
“We couldn’t momentum going our way offensively,” Culler said. “We’d get some runners on and then we’d end the inning. We would set the table, but then we couldn’t finish it. There were times where we hit the ball hard right at them. This last game we had the bases loaded with a chance to tie it or take the lead. Our team played hard and kept competing, which is always good to see.”
Moore wound up getting credit for a win in game one and a save in game two. It was Moore who was called upon to put out the fire in the seventh inning of game two. Concordia got within two runs on Julia Van Wey’s double to center field. The bases were then loaded with only one out when Moore induced a fielder’s choice and then a strikeout to lock up a sweep for Doane. The Bulldogs left 10 runners on base in game two.
Concordia did manage to take a lead early in both ends of the twin bill. Caitlyn McGarvie singled in two runs in the top of the third in game one, putting the Bulldogs up, 2-1, at the time. Zoie Isom then delivered an RBI single in the first inning of game two. On the day, three Concordia batters produced exactly three hits: Van Wey (3-for-7), Kylie Shottenkirk (3-for-6) and Delanie Voshell (3-for-7). Collectively, the Bulldogs amassed 15 hits over the two games.
In the circle, Culler went with Megan Eurich in game one and Jerzi Rowe in game two. Eurich racked up eight strikeouts in six innings but also allowed six runs (five earned) on 10 hits and a walk. Rowe then surrendered seven runs (five earned) on 11 hits and three walks in 5.2 innings. At the plate, Moore went 3-for-6 against her former teammates. She fired a complete game and helped Doane (16-10, 3-1 GPAC) avoid late drama in the day’s first contest.
The results weren’t what the Bulldogs wanted, but Culler liked his team’s approach. Said Culler, “We talked about it after hitting last night (regarding facing Moore) and how we needed to control our emotions. We did a good job of it. We didn’t get wrapped up in any of that stuff.”
Concordia will be back at Plum Creek Park on Saturday to host Hastings (8-12, 3-1 GPAC) in a 1 p.m. CT doubleheader. The two programs split last season’s twin bill that was played in Hastings. Culler served the Broncos last season as an assistant coach.