2008 - Softball schedule/results
31-11 Overall, 21-3 GPAC - Season statistics
MARCH | ||||
March 9 | Hastings College (2) | Hastings, Neb. | W 13-3 (5 Inn.) | |
March 12 | York College (2) | Seward, Neb. | W 7-0 | |
March 16 | Georgian Court (1) | Kissimmee, Fla. | W 3-2 | |
March 16 | Dominican (1) | Kissimmee, Fla. | L 5-2 | |
March 17 | Wisconsin Parkside (1) | Kissimmee, Fla. | L 16-4 | |
March 17 | Caldwell College (1) | Kissimmee, Fla. | W 6-3 | |
March 19 | William Woods College (2) | Kissimmee, Fla. | L 9-4 | |
March 25 | #24 Bellevue University (2) | Bellevue, Neb. | W 9-4 | |
March 26 | Midland Lutheran (2)* | Seward, Neb. | W 12-4 | |
APRIL | ||||
April 1 | Nebraska Wesleyan (2)* | Lincoln, Neb. | L 7-6 (11) | |
April 4 | Northwestern (2)* | Orange City, Iowa | W 4-2 | |
April 9 | Hastings (2)* | Seward, Neb. | W 5-2 | |
April 15 | Dana College (2)* | Blair, Neb. | W 2-0 (9) | |
| April 16 | #22 Morningside (2)* | Seward, Neb. | W 4-0 W 4-2 (8) | |
April 19 | Dordt (2)* | Sioux Center, Iowa | W 10-3 | |
| April 20 | Sioux Falls (2)* | Sioux Falls, S.D. | W 13-9 W 11-1 (5) | |
April 22 | Doane (2)* | Seward, Neb. | W 4-2 | |
| April 27 | Briar Cliff (2)* | Sioux City, Iowa | L 4-3 L 3-0 | |
| April 28 | Mt. Marty (2)* | Seward, Neb. | W 8-2 W 12-4 | |
| April 29 | Dakota Wesleyan (2)* | Seward, Neb. | W 7-2a | |
MAY | ||||
May 1-3 | GPAC Tournament | Hastings, Neb. |
| |
| vs. Hastings | W 9-8 | |||
| vs. Northwestern | L 2-1 (10 Inn.) | |||
| vs. Dana | W 6-1 | |||
| vs. Doane | L 11-8 (10 Inn.) | |||
May 7-9 | NAIA Region III Tournament | Sioux City, Iowa |
| |
| vs. Midland | L 2-1 | |||
| Vs. Northwestern | L 2-0 | |||
May 19-25 | NAIA National Tournament | Decatur, Ala. | TBA | |
*Indicates Great Plains Athletic Conference Games
All Home Games in BOLD
2008 - Softball roster
No | Name | Pos. | Ht. | Yr. | Hometown | Previous School |
10 | Nicole Baker | OF | 5-5 | FR | Arvada, Colo. | Arvada West |
11 | Cassidy Sheridan | SS | 5-5 | FR | Cheyenne, Wyo. | Central |
12 | Rachel Faszholz | OF | 5-4 | JR | Macomb, Mich. | Lutheran High North |
13 | Anne Royuk | OF | 5-4 | JR | Arlington, Neb. | Arlington |
14 | Samantha Hellbusch | SS/2B | 5-5 | SR | Creston, Neb. | Lakeview |
15 | Clarissa Eloge | IF | 5-5 | SO | Rising City, Neb. | Lakeview |
16 | Sarah Bergen | P | 5-6 | SR | St. Charles, Mo. | St. Charles Lutheran |
17 | Whitney Swanson | OF | 5-6 | FR | Parker, Colo. | Elizabeth |
18 | Amanda Huckestein | P/C | 5-8 | SO | Port Charlotte, Fla. | Port Charlotte |
20 | Caitlin Lawrence | P | 5-7 | SO | Torrington, Wyo. | Torrington |
21 | Laura Fugate | 2B | 5-3 | SO | North Platte, Neb. | North Platte |
| 22 | Alyssa Belgum | SS | 5-5 | FR | Hastings, Neb. | Hastings St. Cecilia |
23 | Ashley Wilson | OF/2B | 5-2 | FR | North Pole, AK | North Pole |
24 | Charlotte Kaeding | C/1B | 5-7 | JR | Westminster, Colo. | Westminster |
25 | Christy Jeppesen | U/OF | 5-5 | SR | Pleasant Dale, Neb. | Home |
26 | Tawny Bullerdick | OF | 5-4 | SR | Anaheim, Calif. | Fullerton CC |
28 | Kendra Oswald | DH/1B | 5-8 | SO | Madison, Neb. | Lutheran NE |
29 | Kendall Burgess | 1B | 5-10 | JR | Houston, Texas | Jersey Village |
31 | Sally Wolff | IF/U | 5-5 | SO | Aurora, Neb. | Aurora |
32 | Courtney Peretto | P/IF | 5-3 | SO | Vallejo, Calif. | St. Patrick-St. Vincent |
33 | Rachel Simmons | OF/2B | 5-3 | SO | Sandy, Utah | Hillcrest |
Bulldogs split with No. 24-ranked Bellevue
25 MAR 2008
The Concordia University, Nebraska softball team picked up a confidence building split with the nationally ranked Bellevue University Bruins on Tuesday afternoon in Omaha, Neb.
In game one Concordia (8-4, 0-0 GPAC) got a quick start out of the gate as sophomore Laura Fugate led off with a double and later scored when senior Christy Jeppesen doubled. The Bulldog offense would continue to roll as Concordia added two more runs in the top of the second before blowing the game open when senior pitcher Sarah Bergan had a three-run home-run, opening up a 6-1 lead in the bottom of the third.
Bergan would go the distance for the Bulldogs on the mound, keeping the Bruin offense off balance all game, scattering 10 hits. The senior ace gave up only four runs, all earned, striking out five while walking only one to earn the win for Concordia.
Bergan also led the Bulldog offense with three RBI's while Fugate, senior Samantha Hellbusch, and junior Kendall Burgess each had multi-hit games for Concordia. Bellevue (9-6, 0-0 MCAC) starter Chelsey White was chased after just three innings, giving up six runs on nine hits.
Game two was a different story for the Concordia offense as the Bulldogs were held to just four hits while not being able to advance a runner past second base.
"We just didn't get the key hits we needed to be successful," Head Coach Frank Greene said. "It was a very well played game we just came up short on the offensive end."
The Bruins were able to get on top early as lead off hitter Skye Wakefield singled to left center and two batters later scored on a single by Jordann Ellis. Bellevue would add two more unearned runs to pick up the 3-0 victory. Sophomore Caitlin Lawrence was tagged with the loss for Concordia giving up three runs (one earned) on five hits in six innings of work.
Concordia will again be in action Wednesday, March 26 as the Bulldogs open up Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) play against the Midland Lutheran College Warriors at 5 p.m. in Seward, Neb.
Bulldogs dominate Midland in GPAC opener
26 MAR 2008
The Concordia softball team began Great Plains Athletic Conference play Wednesday night with a two-game dismantling of the Midland Lutheran College Warriors, at Plum Creek Park in Seward, Neb.
In game one Midland (9-7, 0-2 GPAC) jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the first but Concordia would respond with runs in each of the next six innings to take a 12-4 victory. The game was shortened to six innings due to the eight run rule.
Concordia (10-4, 2-0 GPAC) rode the momentum of a five-run second inning rally, spurred on by four straight singles and a bases clearing double by senior pitcher Sarah Bergan. The Bulldog offense was led by junior first baseman Kendall Burgess who went 3-for-4 with a double and four RBI's. Freshman Nicole Baker also went 3-for-3 with a homerun and three RBI's as the Bulldogs pounded out 15 hits off of the 2007 first team All-GPAC pitcher Kelly Sladek of Midland.
Bergan picked up her second win in as many days, going the complete six innings, scattering seven hits while giving up four runs (all earned) and striking out five.
Game two saw much of the same offensive fireworks from the Bulldogs but Concordia also got a dominate pitching effort from sophomore Caitlin Lawrence in the 8-1 victory.
Concordia was able to take an early 3-0 lead when senior right fielder Christy Jeppesen had a bases clearing triple and later scored on senior short stop Samantha Hellbusch's triple to the left center field gap. The Bulldogs added five more in the bottom of the third inning when Concordia put runners on due to Warrior errors and Burgess cleared the bases with a towering shot over the left field fence.
The key to the Bulldogs success in game two though was a strong performance on the mound by Lawrence, who went the complete seven innings surrendering only two base hits while striking out four. Midland's lead off hitter Natalie Meduna was the only Warrior to advance past second base the entire second game.
"I couldn't be more proud of the way our kids played today," said Head Coach Frank Greene. "The hitting is right where we want it, the pitching has just been great, I would like to see our defense sharpen up but I feel great about where we are right now."
Concordia will head to Sioux City, Iowa for the Morningside Tournament on Friday and Saturday March 28-29 before heading back into GPAC play April 1 against Nebraska Wesleyan.
Bulldogs split with Prairie Wolves
1 APR 2008
The Concordia University, Nebraska softball team dropped a tough eleven inning game 7-6 before winning game two in eight innings 7-4 over Nebraska Wesleyan Wednesday afternoon in Lincoln, Neb.
Nebraska Wesleyan (8-8, 3-5 GPAC) got a two RBI single from Klancy Nixon with two outs in the bottom of the eleventh to give the Prairie Wolves the game one victory.
Ashley Tiedgen picked up the victory for Nebraska Wesleyan pitching 11 complete innings giving up six runs (four earned) on eight hits while striking out six. Concordia's Sarah Bergen was tagged with the loss, giving up seven runs (four earned) on 12 hits.
Junior catcher Charlotte Kaeding, back in lineup after missing time due to illness, led the Bulldog offense in game one going 2-for-3 with two RBI.
In game two the Bulldogs used a three run double by Amanda Huckestein in the top of the eighth inning to capture a 7-4 victory. Huckestein's double came after junior Anne Royuk singled to lead off the inning. She was then moved to second by Nicole Baker's sacrifice bunt. Kaeding was then hit by a pitch and Samantha Hellbusch added an infield single to load the bases for Huckestein who quickly unloaded them.
Huckestein also picked up the victory for the Bulldogs on the mound, pitching in relief of starter Caitlin Lawrence. Husckestein scattered seven hits over three and one third innings while surrendering only one run (earned).
Huckestein also led the Bulldog offense going 2-for-4 with four RBI while Hellbusch went 3-for-4 with three runs scored.
The Bulldogs next action comes April 4th with a 5 p.m. meeting at the University of Sioux Falls before heading to Sioux City, Iowa to take on Northwestern (Iowa) on April 5th at 1 p.m.
Bulldogs take two from Red Raiders
4 APR 2008
The Concordia University softball team picked up an all important road conference sweep on Saturday against Northwestern in Orange City, Iowa.
The Bulldogs (13-5, 5-1 GPAC) picked up a 4-2 victory in game 1 on the strength of a four run, fourth inning rally. The big blow came when sophomore Clarissa Eloge had a bases loaded, three RBI double. Eloge then scored on senior Christy Jeppesen's double to put the Bulldogs ahead for good.
Senior starting pitcher Sarah Bergen picked up her sixth victory of the season, as she went the distance for Concordia. Bergan only gave up four hits and two runs (both earned), one of which was a solo home run.
The Bulldog offense was led by Eloge who finished the day going 2-for-3 with three RBI and a run scored.
Sophomore Caitlin Lawrence was able to hold the Red Raider offense scoreless in a game two, 1-0 victory. Northwestern (12-12, 2-4 GPAC) was only able to squeak out four base hits and only two of those base runners reached third base. Lawrence picked up her second victory of the season in the win.
The Bulldogs lone run came on a solo home-run by Jeppesen, who kept her hot streak going with a 3-for-3 performance in game two. Only two other Bulldogs even registered base hits for Concordia, Samantha Hellbusch and Amanda Huckestein.
The next action for the Bulldogs is Wednesday, April 9 as the Hastings College Broncos come to Seward, Neb. for a 5 p.m. double header.
Broncos no match for Bulldogs
9 APR 2008
The Concordia University softball team showed Wednesday night that it deserves its spot atop the GPAC standings in a two game sweep of the Hastings College Broncos at Plum Creek Park in Seward, Neb.
In game one Concordia (15-5, 7-1 GPAC) cruised into the sixth inning with a 4-0 lead and looked to be heading for win. The Bronco hitters, however, would put a scare into the Bulldogs. After two doubles, a single, and two runs scored the Broncos had the tying runs on second and third with no outs. Senior pitcher Sarah Bergan found the right stuff to shut the door on Hastings, striking out the next two batters and getting the third to line harmlessly to short stop Samantha Hellbusch to end the threat.
"I went out there and told her ‘this is it, you have to step up and get us out of here,'" said head coach Frank Greene. "She (Bergan) showed that if she is tested, she can overcome it."
The Bulldogs would add an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth before finishing off the Broncos for a game one victory, 5-2. Bergan picked up the win as she went the complete seven innings, scattering eight hits while only allowing two runs (both earned).
Game two saw Concordia off to a slow start offensively before the Bulldogs exploded for seven runs in innings four through six. With a score of 9-1 in the Bulldogs' favor, the game was called after the sixth inning as the eight-run rule was enforced.
The Bulldogs were led offensively by third baseman Clarissa Eloge who went 2-for-4 with three RBI, while Hellbusch and freshman Nicole Baker each went 2-for-3 with a single RBI a piece.
The next action for the Bulldogs will be Friday, April 11, as the Morningside College Mustangs come to Seward, Neb. for a 5 p.m.
Vikings upset bid squashed by Bulldogs
15 APR 2008
The Concordia University softball team was able to hold off the Dana College Viking's for an important road GPAC sweep Wednesday night in Blair, Neb.
In game one the two teams were locked in a pitchers dual as Concordia's Sarah Bergen held the Vikings to just two hits. Dana's Cassie Lager was equally as impressive as she held the usually explosive Concordia bats quiet.
The Bulldogs finally pushed two runs across in the top of the ninth inning when Bergen and Laura Fugate each singled and were brought home by a single by senior Christy Jeppesen and an error by the Vikings. Bergen was able to keep the Dana hitters off balance to hold on for the 2-0 victory.
Bergen finished the game as the winning pitcher and as the leading hitter for the Bulldogs going 3-for-4 with a run scored.
In game two the Bulldog offense came alive from the outset as Concordia strung together three straight singles en route to scoring two runs in the first innings. The Bulldogs would add three more runs in the third on a home run by Kendall Burgess and a two RBI double by Fugate.
Amanda Huckestein picked up the win in game two, surrendering just two runs on a home run while scattering six hits in seven complete innings of work as the Bulldogs cruised to a 6-2 victory.
The Bulldogs will look to ride the momentum gained as the Morningside College Mustangs come to Seward for a 4 p.m. double header, April 16.
Baker's walk off home run seals Bulldog sweep of #22 Morningside
16 APR 2008
The Concordia University softball team took the driver's seat for the conference championship with a two game sweep of the nationally ranked, No. 22 Morningside College Mustangs Wednesday night.
In game one the Bulldogs got a near flawless effort from Sarah Bergen in the circle as Concordia held on for a 4-0 victory.
The Mustangs threatened in the top of the sixth inning with the bases loaded and only one out but Bergen was able to get the Mustangs Alisha Krieg to ground to the Bulldogs Laura Fugate who alertly tagged a Morningside runner and was able to throw on to first for the inning ending double play.
The Bulldogs offense was led by Clarissa Eloge who went 3-for-3 including a double and a two run triple that put the Bulldogs on the scoreboard and into the lead for good. Samantha Hellbusch added a hit and an RBI.
Bergen (9-3) picked up her second win in as many days throwing a complete seven innings, surrendering only four hits and walking two.
In game two Concordia (19-5, 11-1 GPAC) jumped out to a 2-0 lead when Nikki Baker had an infield single that scored Amanda Huckestein from third, on the same play Baker tried to advance to second but was thrown out, while allowing Christy Jeppesen to score from third.
Morningside (25-7, 11-4 GPAC) battled back to tie the game at 2-2 and even had a runner on third one out in the top of the eighth inning but would fail to score. In the bottom of the eighth inning Jeppesen led off with a ringing single up the middle. Baker came up and was looking to move Jeppesen to second with a sacrifice bunt but failed to connect, fouling off two straight. Baker then connected sending a game ending two run home run over the right field fence to give the Bulldogs a 4-2 victory.
The win gives Concordia a three game lead over Morningside in the GPAC standings and with six games this weekend the Bulldogs look to be in the driver's seat for the regular season championship.
The next action for the Bulldogs comes with a busy weekend of action as Concordia will travel north for three double headers, beginning with Briar Cliff on Friday, Dordt on Saturday, and Sioux Falls on Sunday.
Bulldogs sweep Dordt
19 APR 2008
The Bulldogs easily swept two games away from Dordt College on Saturday in Sioux Center, Iowa. The Bulldogs won game one 10-3 before taking game two 11-4. In game one the Bulldogs were led by Kendall Burgess who went 2-for-3 with a homerun and five RBI. In Game two the Bulldogs used long balls from Clarissa Eloge, Samantha Hellbush, and Anne Royuk to cruise to the victory.
Bulldogs take down Cougars, inch closer to title
20 APR 2008
The Concordia University softball team finished off the weekend with a strong sweep of the University of Sioux Falls and their magic number to claim the GPAC regular season championship now sits at four wins.
The Bulldogs (23-5, 15-1 GPAC) rode a five RBI performance from junior catcher Charlotte Kaeding to hold off the upset minded Cougars 13-9 in game one. Concordia starting pitcher Sarah Bergen struggled on the mound allowing ten hits and five runs but only two were earned runs.
In game two the Bulldogs used a nine run fourth innings to cruise to an 11-1 victory in five innings. Amanda Huckestein established her dominance in the circle, allowing only three base hits and one run (unearned). The runner that scored happened to be the only Cougar to advance past second base in the shortened five inning game.
Every Bulldog starter had at least one base hit and scored a run in game two, while the offense was led by senior Christy Jeppesen who went 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Nicole Baker also went 1-for-3 with a three RBI triple.
The Bulldogs have a busy final week of the regular season beginning on April 22 as the Tigers of Doane College come to Plum Creek Park for a 5 p.m. double header before the Bulldogs host Mt. Marty and Dakota Wesleyan in Friday and Saturday double headers, April 25 and 26. The Bulldogs will then again head north for a make up double header with Briar Cliff on April 27.
Bulldogs sweep Tigers
22 APR 2008
The Concordia University softball team moved two steps closer to clinching a regular season GPAC title with a two-game sweep over rival Doane College Tuesday night at Plum Creek Park in Seward, Neb.
In game one the Bulldogs got on the board early as senior Christy Jeppesen led off the game with a ringing single into left field. Jeppesen then advanced to second on a wild pitch, and later scored on an error by the Doane second baseman. Clarissa Eloge, who had reached on a bunt single, also came around to score on the error, giving the Bulldogs a quick 2-0 advantage.
Doane would fight back to tie the game at 2-2 in the top of the third inning but in the bottom of the inning the Bulldogs would take the lead for good. After Eloge was walked, leading off the inning, and Hellbusch grounded out, junior Charlotte Kaeding connected and sent one deep to left field that had just enough on it to clear the left field fence. The Bulldog defense held on for the 4-2 game one victory.
Senior Sarah Bergen picked up the victory for the Bulldogs in the circle, pitching a complete seven innings. Bergen only allowed two runs (both earned) on four hits. Concordia was led offensively by Kaeding and Hellbusch who each went 1-for-3 with two RBI while Bergen and junior Anne Royuk each added two hits for the Bulldogs, who tallied eight hits in the game.
Game two was a showcase of the Bulldog offense while sophomore Amanda Huckestein was able to keep the Tiger bats silent. Huckestein pitched a complete five innings, allowing only one runner to advance past second base. The Tigers were only able to scratch out four hits in the night cap.
The Bulldog offense, on the other hand, was firing on all cylinders. Concordia scored in each of the four innings they hit in, amassing 11 runs on 15 hits to win game two easily 11-0. The Bulldogs were lead by Jeppesen, (3-for-3, 3 RBI), Eloge (3-for-3), Hellbusch (1-for-3, 3 RBI), Nikki Baker (2-for-3, 2 runs scored, 2 RBI) and Laura Fugate (2-for-2, 2 runs scored, 2 RBI).
The next action for the Bulldogs comes Friday, April 25, as the Mount Marty Lancers make their way to Plum Creek Park for a 5 p.m. double header.
Bulldogs' streak snapped by Briar Cliff
27 APR 2008
The Concordia University softball team had its 15-game winning streak snapped Sunday with a two-game sweep at the hands of the Briar Cliff Chargers in Sioux City, Iowa.
The Bulldogs' bats were rendered nearly silent by the Chargers pitching staff as Concordia managed only six hits in game one and five hits in game two. In game one the Chargers were able to score four runs on three hits and an error in the bottom of the fourth innings and the Bulldogs wouldn't be able to close the gap, dropping game one 4-3.
In the second game, a 3-0 loss for the Bulldogs, Concordia twice stranded runners on third allowing the Chargers to hold Concordia scoreless for only the second time all season. Freshman Nikki Baker was the only Bulldog have multiple hits in both games. She went 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI in game one as well as going 2-for-3 in game two.
The Bulldogs look to bounce back and finish the regular season strong as they welcome Mt. Marty to Plum Creek Park for a 5 p.m. double header Monday, April 28.
Bulldogs clinch GPAC title
28 APR 2008
The Concordia University softball team clinched the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) regular-season championship on Monday night with a two-game sweep of the Mount Marty College Lancers at Plum Creek Park in Seward, Neb.
The Bulldogs came into the day knowing that they needed to win just one of the two to clinch the title but were able to take two from the Lancers to put distance from the field as well as regaining momentum lost from Sundays losses.
In game one the Bulldogs came out early and scored five runs in the first two innings on six hits and two errors by Mount Marty. The Lancers managed to push across a pair of runs in the top of the fifth inning but that is all the closer they would get as Concordia held on for an 8-2 victory.
Senior Sarah Bergen picked up the complete game victory, scattering nine hits over seven innings while allowing two runs (both earned) and striking out two. Five Bulldogs registered multiple hits in game one: Christy Jeppesen (2-for-4, 2 runs scored), Clarissa Eloge (2-for-3, 3 runs scored, 2 RBI, including a homerun), Samantha Hellbushc (2-for-4, run scored), Bergen (2-for-4, RBI), and Anne Royuk (2-for-3, run scored).
In game two, Concordia skipper Frank Greene used the opportunity to get some of the younger Bulldogs into the action. The result was the same as Concordia cruised to the victory, 12-4, in five innings.
The Bulldog offense amassed 15 hits in the second game, led by Eloge who went 2-for-2 with a home run and four RBI while Royuk added a 3-for-3 performance for Concordia. Caitlin Lawrence was able to earn her fifth victory of the season throwing a complete game, scattering seven hits. Lawrence allowed four runs (all earned) while striking out two.
"I couldn't be more proud of a group of kids," Greene said. "We came out flat to begin the day but some of the younger kids stepped up and showed some fire in game two."
The Bulldogs will finish the regular season schedule as the Dakota Wesleyan Tigers come to Plum Creek Park for a 3 p.m. double header Tuesday, April 29.
Bulldogs cruise past Tigers
29 APR 2008
The Concordia University softball team cemented its place atop the GPAC Tuesday night, sweeping Dakota Wesleyan 7-2 and 8-2 at Plum Creek Park in Seward, Neb.
In game one the Bulldogs rode the strength of Samantha Hellbusch and Christy Jeppesen's bats as they both drove in three runs apiece. Hellbusch went 2-for-4 with a homerun and 3 RBI while Jeppesen was 2-for-3 with a run scored and three RBI.
Starter Courtney Perretto picked up the win for the Bulldogs in the circle, scattering 11 hits while allowing two runs (one earned) through seven innings as the Bulldogs took game one 7-2.
In game two freshman Cassidy Sheridan took advantage of starting in game two, hitting two home runs and driving in five runs as the Bulldogs cruised to an 8-2 victory. Amanda Huckestein picked up her 11th victory of the season as well as her 10th complete game as she was able to hold the Tigers to two runs (both earned) on six hits through seven innings.
The Bulldogs now head into the GPAC post season tournament as the No. 1 seed; Concordia will take on the No. 8 seed Hastings College Broncos at the Smith Softball Complex in Hastings, Neb., at 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 1.
Bulldogs eliminated from GPAC tournament
1-3 MAY 2008
The Concordia University softball team was eliminated from the 2008 Great Plains Athletic Conference tournament on Friday afternoon as the Doane College Tigers pulled off an 11-8, extra inning comeback victory at the Smith Softball Complex in Hastings, Neb.
The Bulldog pitching staff was touched up for 11 runs on 17 hits as the Tigers roared back from an 8-3 fourth inning deficit, after senior Samantha Hellbusch put Concordia in front on a monstrous home run to deep left field. In the top of the fifth inning Doane had back-to-back-to-back homeruns that pulled the Tigers within two. After a Bulldog error in the sixth that led to another Doane run, the Tiger tied the game in the top of the seventh with another home run.
The two teams were quiet on offense until the top of the eleventh inning when Steph Mosely for Doane had a one out double to left field. The Bulldogs looked to be in good shape when senior Sarah Bergen was able to induce a shallow fly ball for out number two.
The wheels then came off as the next two hitters for Doane would single and double and single respectively to give the Tigers an 11-8 lead. Concordia looked to be answering in the bottom of the tenth when junior catcher Charlotte Kaeding led off with a ringing single to left field. Laura Fugate then came up and hit a fastball off the end of the bat that took a crazy hop and as Doanes second baseman Kristen Schmidt went to play the ball collided with Kaeding, forcing Kaeding to be out on interference.
Doane pitcher Joy Vasa was then able to get the Bulldogs next two hitters to fly out to centerfield and leftfield to end the game in favor of the Tigers.
Bergen was charged with the loss for the Bulldogs, as she came in for relief work, going four complete innings giving up three runs (all earned) on five hits. Bergen came in to relieve Courtney Peretto the Bulldogs first reliever who had came in for starter Caitlin Lawrence.
Vasa picked up the win for the Tigers, going six complete giving up five hits and no runs to move the Tigers into the losers' bracket championship game.
The Bulldogs were led by Kaeding who went 4-for-5 on the day. Christy Jeppesen added a 2-for-5 with two RBI as Hellbusch finished the day going 1-for-3 with a homerun and three RBI.
The Bulldogs will now wait to see what seed they will earn for the NAIA Region III championship tournament, which will be played May 8-9 in Sioux City, Iowa.
Bulldogs bounced from Region III tournament
7-9 MAY 2008
The Concordia University softball team's season came to an abrupt end on Wednesday as the Bulldogs were eliminated from the NAIA Region III tournament with back-to-back losses to Midland Lutheran and Northwestern.
In the first game the Bulldogs broke open a 0-0 tie in the bottom of the fourth inning when senior Sarah Bergen walked to lead off the inning. She was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Amanda Huckestein, Bergen later scored on a single by sophomore Laura Fugate.
Concordia held the lead until the top of the seventh inning, when Midland's offense strung four singles together and were able to push across two runs to take a 2-1 lead going into the final half inning. The Bulldogs were able to get the tying run on in the form of Nikki Bakker but she was stranded at first when the game ended when Clarissa Eloge flew out to right field.
Bergen picked up the loss for the Bulldogs in the circle, going seven complete while giving up two runs (both earned) on five hits. Offensively Concordia was held to just three hits while only two runners were able to advance past second base.
The Bulldogs then moved into an elimination game to take on Northwestern (Iowa) who had earlier lost to Morningside, 9-1. From the start the Red Raiders had the Bulldogs number as the Northwestern offense racked up 12 hits of starter Amanda Huckestein. In all seven innings Northwestern was able to at least put a runner in scoring position.
Concordia's offense was again held quiet in game two as the Bulldogs were always looking for the base hit to push across a run that never came. The Bulldogs had the opportunities to score runs with runners in scoring position eight times but failed to score any of those runners.
Huckestein was tabbed with the loss for the Bulldogs giving up two runs (both earned) on 12 hits while stile striking out seven.
The Bulldogs end the season 31-11 and will look to repeat in 2009 as the GPAC regular season champions without starters Samantha Hellbusch, Sarah Bergen, and Christy Jeppesen.
Bergan earns GPAC honor
Concordia pitcher Sarah Bergen is the Hauff Mid-America Sports Softball Pitcher-of-the-Week. Bergen, a senior from St. Charles, Missouri, picked up a pair of wins on the week as the Bulldogs defeated #25 Bellevue and regionally ranked Midland Lutheran. For the week she had ten strikeouts with an ERA of 4.31. She also had a three run homerun in the win against Bellevue. Concordia is 10-4 overall and 2-0 in GPAC action.
Bergan earns Region III honor
Concordia pitcher Sarah Bergen is the NAIA Region III Softball Pitcher-of-the-Week. Bergen, a senior from St. Charles, Missouri, picked up a pair of wins on the week as the Bulldogs defeated #25 Bellevue and regionally ranked Midland Lutheran. For the week she had ten strikeouts with an ERA of 4.31. She also had a three run homerun in the win against Bellevue. Concordia is 10-4 overall and 2-0 in GPAC action.
Eloge earns GPAC and NAIA Region III honors
Concordia third baseman Clarissa Eloge is the Hauff Mid-America Sports Softball Player-of-the-Week as well as the NAIA Region III Player-of-the-Week. Eloge, a sophomore from Rising City, Nebraska, posted a .560 batting average as the Bulldogs went 8-0 on the week. She totaled ten RBI's going 14-25 at the plate. Her slugging percentage was .800 as she had a double, triple, and homerun on the week. Concordia began the week 23-5 and in first place in the GPAC softball standings.
Eight Bulldogs earn GPAC honors
Eight different players from the Concordia University, Nebraska softball team were honored on 2008 Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) All-Conference team. The list, released on Tuesday afternoon, consists of 18 first-team members, 18 second-team members and an honorable mention list.
Senior shortstop Samantha Hellbusch and freshman Clarissa Eloge were named to the first-team while senior pitcher Sarah Bergen, freshman outfielder Nicole Baker, senior outfielder Christy Jeppesen and junior catcher Charlotte Kaeding were tabbed as second-team selections. Sophomore pitcher Amanda Huckestein and junior outfielder Anne Royuk were named honorable mention.
Hellbusch (Creston, Neb.) had a batting average of .409 on the season, driving in 34 runs on 47 hits. She also had four stolen bases. Defensively, she had a fielding percentage of .936. This is the third consecutive year she has been a first-team All-GPAC selection.
Eloge (Rising City, Neb.) had a batting average of .382 on the season, driving in 27 runs on 42 hits. Eloge also had 11 extra-base hits: seven doubles, a triple and three home runs. As one of the top defensive third basemen in the GPAC, Eloge only had eight errors in 101 chances.
Bergen (St. Charles, Mo.), the senior ace of the Bulldog pitching staff, led Concordia with 13 wins in 19 appearances. She also had 13 complete games with a 4.26 ERA. Begen helped her own cause by hitting .340 with 10 RBIs on 17 hits.
Baker (Arvada, Colo.), a freshman, had a batting average of .363 while driving in 27 runs on 45 hits. She also had 12 stolen bases on 14 attempts.
Jeppesesn (Pleasant Dale, Neb.) batted leadoff for the Bulldogs and led the team with 48 hits. She was second on the team in RBIs with 30 while leading the team with 75 total bases. Defensively, she had just five errors.
Kaeding (Westminster, Colo.), the starting catcher for the Bulldogs, missed four games due to injury and still hit .309 with 30 hits and 24 RBIs. Defensively, Kaeding had just five errors in 192 chances.
Eloge and Hellbusch earn NAIA Region III honor
Two players from the Concordia University, Nebraska softball team were honored on the 2008 NAIA Region III team. The list, released on Tuesday afternoon, consists of 18 first-team members made up of players from the GPAC and DAC conferences.
Senior shortstop Samantha Hellbusch and freshman third baseman Clarissa Eloge were each named to the team. For Hellbusch, this marks the third consecutive season being named to the team.
Hellbusch (Creston, Neb.) had a batting average of .409 on the season, driving in 34 runs on 47 hits. She also had four stolen bases. Defensively, she had a fielding percentage of .936. This is also the third consecutive year she has been an All-Region selection.
Eloge (Rising City, Neb.) had a batting average of .382 on the season, driving in 27 runs on 42 hits. Eloge also had 11 extra-base hits: seven doubles, a triple and three home runs. As one of the top defensive third basemen in the GPAC, Eloge only had eight errors in 101 chances.