SEWARD, Neb. – The Concordia University Softball program has rolled out its regular-season schedule for the 2021 season (as of Sept. 10). The slate includes 22 GPAC games (11 doubleheaders) and nine nonconference twin bills. The Bulldogs will also participate in a pair two-day events (hosted by Friends University and McPherson College) that have yet to be finalized. Opening day is currently set for Feb. 13 at Ottawa University.
The 2021 campaign will mark Shawn Semler’s third as head coach of the program. A promising 2020 season was cut short by the pandemic. Before it was shut down, Concordia went 12-2 behind huge statistical performances from the likes of Hhana Haro and Camry Moore. The Bulldogs finished their shortened season with seven wins over eight games in Kissimmee, Fla., during spring break.
Outside of conference play, Concordia has doubleheaders lined up with Ottawa, University of Saint Mary (Kan.), Benedictine College (Kan.), Bethany College (Kan.), Friends University (Kan.), Oklahoma City University, Oklahoma Wesleyan University, Kansas Wesleyan University and Nebraska Wesleyan University. The Bulldogs will open up conference play at home on March 24 when Hastings will be on hand at Plum Creek Park.
Concordia will again have a star-laden infield featuring Haro at third base, Tori Homolka at short and Kylee Nixon at second base. Meanwhile, Moore is one of the nation’s top two-way players. All four of the aforementioned names batted .357 or better in 2020. Haro was hitting .585 (24-for-41) through 12 games. Moore led the team in home runs (four) and RBIs (20) and was 7-1 with a 1.27 ERA in the circle. At the time the season ended, the Bulldogs owned national rankings of seventh in runs per game (8.1) and ninth in ERA (1.73).
The conference tournament will again be comprised of two pods played at the home fields of the top two seeds. GPAC postseason pod play will take place May 5-6 with the conference championship series set for May 8. The NAIA National Championship Opening Round will unfold May 17-19 with the NAIA World Series to follow in Columbus, Ga., May 27-June 2.