SEWARD, Neb. – The Concordia University Softball team will take a weekend break from competing in an invitational and instead hit the asphalt for two back to back doubleheaders on Feb. 24-25. The Dawgs will take a trip to face the University of Saint Mary (Kan.), then rematch with Benedictine College (Kan.). With three separate games decided by one run in Kansas City, Concordia won over Saint Mary of the Woods College (1-0) but fell against Benedictine College (6-5), Baker University (11-1) and Avila University (1-0). Head Coach Brock Culler’s squad left Missouri with a 1-3 record, totaling a 1-5 record overall after facing four 2023 national tournament teams in five out of six games.
This Week
Saturday, Feb. 24 at University of Saint Mary (3-5), 1 & 3 p.m. CT
--Live Video | Live Stats | Location: USM Softball Complex (Leavenworth, Kan.)
Sunday, Feb. 25 at Benedictine College (6-2), noon & 2 p.m. CT
--Live Stats | Location: Benedictine Softball Field (Atchison, Kan.)
The Dawgs split on day one, riding the coat tails of starting pitcher Megan Eurich who hurled eight strikeouts in seven shutout innings versus SMWC. In the fifth, Hannah Bowers drew a walk, for a pinch running Madison Cushing, who found herself at second after a sac bunt by Laycee Josoff. Glause would single, advancing Cushing to third but with an error by the Pomeroys’ shortstop, Cushing took full advantage for the eventual game winning run. Against the Ravens, the two teams switched leads three times in the last four innings, as Jennifer Katz hit a two-RBI single to right center for a one run lead (5-4) in the bottom of the fifth. Benedictine would answer with a two-run sixth as Katz led the Bulldogs with two hits and three-RBI’s.
On day two, the offense would struggle to get things going in both games, as Delainie Voshell was the only woman in blue to cross home plate. No. 11 Baker took the game out of hand in the sixth, scoring big with two home runs. Freshman Kaylei Denison showed dramatic improvement in the pitcher’s circle from her first start to her third, against Avila. The Waverly, Neb., native pitched 6 innings, allowing four hits, with an impressive ERA (one) and three strikeouts. In the fifth, Benedictine was able to squeeze in the only run of the contest.
The season has just gotten started, but one number stood out above the rest in Kansas City. Two. It is the number of errors the defense committed in its last four outings and is something Coach Culler can build upon to win games, especially of the tight knit battle variety. A confidence booster for his pitchers, the other eight Bulldogs on the field have her back in the circle.
Upcoming bouts for CUNE, include doubleheaders versus USM (3-5) and Benedictine (6-2). The Spires accomplished their first win against Southwestern Christian (5-4) of Oklahoma, and split with William Woods University (Mo.) and Missouri Valley College. The Ravens and Bulldogs will get to finish a seemingly three-game series, having bested Avila (5-2) and Bethel College (6-1) of Kansas in their last four meetings.
Concordia will compete in the Friends University Invitational the following weekend (Mar. 1-2) In Wichita, Kan. at the Two Rivers Youth Complex. The Bulldogs are set to face Missouri Valley, USM, Park University (Mo.) and Sterling College (Kan.).