SEWARD, Neb. – Spring break is almost here for the Concordia University Softball team, which is gearing up for a whole lot of time spent on the diamond. The Bulldogs are scheduled to play 13 games from March 3-10 while taking part in the Friends University Invitational and the Tucson Invitational. Head Coach Brock Culler’s squad is coming off a 1-3 weekend that included two doubleheaders in the state of Kansas. Concordia will carry a record of 3-5 into action later this week in Wichita.
By the numbers
· The Bulldogs have started 3-5 with wins coming over Missouri Valley College, 6-3, Benedictine College (Kan.), 5-2 and the University of Saint Mary (Kan.), 5-3. This past weekend, Concordia split a doubleheader at Saint Mary before dropping two at Benedictine. Through eight games, the Bulldogs have scored 33 runs and have allowed 51.
· One the highlights of the early season has been the emergence of sophomore pitcher Megan Eurich, who fired complete games in each of her first three outings. In four pitching appearances this season, Eurich is 3-0 with a 2.62 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 24 innings. Eurich was a complete game winner this past weekend at Saint Mary before covering three innings in the game two loss at Benedictine. To this point, Culler has used four different pitchers. On each game day, Culler has sent out Jerzi Rowe in game one and Eurich in game two. In addition, Brooke Townsend has made four appearances in relief and Jessie Bestenlehner has pitched twice out of the bullpen.
· Through eight games, the Bulldogs’ leading hitters (among regulars) are Hanna Bowers (.435), Zoie Isom (.375), Taylor Glause (.296) and Kylie Shottenkirk (.286). Isom has consistently come through with teammates on base and paces Concordia with nine RBIs. Meanwhile, Glause is slugging .556 thanks to her five doubles and one triple this season. Bowers has already collected 10 hits while taking over a full-time starting role.
· Two-time First Team All-GPAC outfielder Caitlyn McGarvie has been slowed a bit at the start of this season by an injury, but it’s only a matter of time before the Lincoln North Star High School product heats up. She’ll enter the weekend in Wichita three hits shy of 100 for her collegiate career. As a Bulldog, McGarvie has batted .350 (97-for-277) with 17 doubles and five triples in 107 games. McGarvie batted .390 and slugged .512 in 2022.
· Of the 13 games scheduled during spring break, 11 will be played against NAIA opponents. Concordia will also take on two NCAA Division III foes in Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (N.Y.) and Bethany Lutheran College (Min.). The most highly rated opponent over this stretch will be Indiana Wesleyan University, which landed at No. 6 in the NAIA preseason coaches’ poll. Also noteworthy, the Bulldogs will play an in-state foe while in Wichita (York University) and will go up against Olivet Nazarene University (Ill.), which is receiving votes nationally.
Spring Break Schedule
--For live coverage during spring break, download the GameChanger app and follow the Concordia Softball team page.
--Tickets for the games in Wichita can be purchased via the Friends University athletics website HERE.
March 3 vs. Bethany College (Kan.), 4 p.m. CT
--Location: Two Rivers Youth Complex (Wichita, Kan.)
March 3 vs. Dakota State University (S.D.), 6 p.m. CT
--Location: Two Rivers Youth Complex (Wichita, Kan.)
March 4 vs. York University, 12 p.m. CT
--Location: Two Rivers Youth Complex (Wichita, Kan.)
March 4 vs. Hannibal LaGrange University (Mo.), 4 p.m. CT
--Location: Two Rivers Youth Complex (Wichita, Kan.)
March 7 vs. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (N.Y.), 11 a.m. MT
--Location: Lincoln Park – Field 5 (Tucson, Ariz.)
March 7 vs. Park University-Gilbert (Ariz.), 1:30 p.m. MT
--Location: Lincoln Park – Field 5 (Tucson, Ariz.)
March 8 vs. Dickinson State University (N.D.), 11 a.m. MT
--Location: Lincoln Park – Field 5 (Tucson, Ariz.)
March 8 vs. Siena Heights University (Mich.), 1:30 p.m. MT
--Location: Lincoln Park – Field 5 (Tucson, Ariz.)
March 9 vs. (6) Indiana Wesleyan University, 9 a.m. MT
--Location: Lincoln Park – Field 8 (Tucson, Ariz.)
March 9 vs. University of St. Francis (Ill.), 11 a.m. MT
--Location: Lincoln Park – Field 8 (Tucson, Ariz.)
March 9 vs. Bethany Lutheran College (Minn.), 3:30 p.m. MT
--Location: Lincoln Park – Field 8 (Tucson, Ariz.)
March 10 vs. Olivet Nazarene University (Ill.), 9 a.m. MT
--Location: Lincoln Park – Field 5 (Tucson, Ariz.)
March 10 vs. Siena Heights University (Mich.), 11 a.m. MT
--Location: Lincoln Park – Field 5 (Tucson, Ariz.)