2009 - Softball schedule/results

24-15 Overall, 17-7 GPAC - Season statistics

FEBRUARY
Feb. 27	Ottawa (2)	Ottawa, Kan.	L 3-1 W 7-3
MARCH
Friends Tournament:
March 6	McPherson College	Wichita, Kan.	W 6-5
March 6	Culver-Stockton	Wichita, Kan.	L 4-1
March 7	Bacone College	Wichita, Kan.	W 6-2
March 7	Graceland University	Wichita, Kan.	L 12-2
March 7	Central Methodist	Wichita, Kan.	W 3-2
March 11	Oklahoma Baptist (2)	Oklahoma City, Okla.	L 7-2 L 8-5
March 20	Dordt* (2)	Seward, Neb.	W 8-0 L 3-2
March 21	Northwestern* (2)	Seward, Neb.	W 10-0 W 10-2
March 24	Midland* (2)	Fremont, Neb.	W 9-4 L 6-3
March 25	Bellevue (2)	Seward, Neb.	W 9-1 L 14-1
APRIL
April 1	Hastings* (2)	Hastings, Neb.	W 5-4 L 11-4
April 3	Morningside* (2)	Sioux City, Iowa	L 5-1 L 3-0
April 7	Dana* (2)	Seward, Neb.	W 3-2 L 9-6
April 8	College of St. Mary (2)	Omaha, Neb.	W 4-0 W 6-4
April 15	Nebraska Wesleyan* (2)	Seward, Neb.	W 3-2 (9) W 5-4
April 17	Dakota Wesleyan* (2)	Mitchell, S.D.	W 7-2 W 7-2
April 20	Sioux Falls* (2)	Seward, Neb.	W 14-8 L 11-8
April 21	Doane* (2)	Crete, Neb.	W 9-2 W 13-11
April 23	Briar Cliff* (2)	Seward, Neb.	W 6-4 W 7-6(9)
April 27	Mt. Marty*(2)	Yankton, S.D.	W 3-0 W 10-2
MAY
April 30-May 2	GPAC Tournament	Sioux City, Iowa
	vs. Briar Cliff	Sioux City, Iowa	L 5-1
	vs. Dana	Sioux City, Iowa	L 2-1

2009 - Softball roster

No.	Name	B/T	Pos.	Yr.	Hometown
10	Nicole Baker	L/L	OF	SO	Arvada, Colo.
12	Nicole Sempek	R/R	P/1B	FR	Columbus, Neb.
14	Natalie Jeppesen	R/R	C/3B	FR	Pleasant Dale, Neb.
15	Clarissa Eloge	R/R	3B/SS	JR	Rising City, Neb.
16	Courtney Thomas	R/R	P/1B	FR	Surprise, Ariz.
17	Whitney Swanson	L/R	OF	SO	Parker, Colo.
18	Ellie Feilmeier	L/L	C	SO	Early, Iowa
19	Marissa Wallace	R/R	P/3B	FR	McCook, Neb.
20	Caitlin Lawrence	R/R	P/1B	JR	Torrington, Wyo.
21	Laura Fugate	R/R	2B	JR	North Platte, Neb.
22	Alyssa Belgum	R/R	SS/OF	SO	Hastings, Neb.
24	Charlotte Kaeding	R/R	C	SR	Westminster, Colo.
27	Hailey Behlen	R/R	OF/1B	FR	Seward, Neb.
28	Alyssa Bauwens	R/R	SS/OF	FR	Perryville, Mo.
29	Kendall Burgess	R/R	1B/C	SR	Houston, Texas
30	Taylor Cameron	R/R	SS	FR	Burr, Neb.
31	Sally Wolff	R/R	OF/3B	JR	Aurora, Neb.
32	Mikaela Klein	R/R	2B	FR	Grand Island, Neb.

Bulldogs split with Braves in opening weekend series

27 FEB 2009

The Concordia University softball team earned a split, dropping game one 3-1 before bouncing back to take game two 7-3 against the Ottawa University Braves this past weekend in Ottawa, Kan.

In game one the Braves got on the board in the bottom of the third inning. Ottawa's Korey Higbi reached on a single and then scored on a crazy play that included two throwing errors by the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs got on the scoreboard in the top of the fifth when Laura Fugate singled, stole second, and then scored on Nicole Baker's single. The Braves answered in the bottom of the fifth with an insurance run unearned on a throwing error by the Bulldogs. All three runs scored by the Braves in game one came via errors by the Bulldogs.

Courtney Thomas was saddled with the loss for the Bulldogs in the pitching circle, throwing six complete innings and giving up seven hits and three runs, none of which were earned. Ashley Renaldi earned the win for the Braves throwing a complete game, giving up just three hits and one run (earned).

The second game saw the Bulldogs tighten up the defense, and their bats came alive. Down 2-0 heading into the top of the fourth inning, Concordia rattled off seven unanswered runs to notch the victory. They were led by the hot bats of Clarissa Eloge going 4-for-4 and Alyssa Bauwens who went 3-for-4 with four RBI.

Nicole Sempek picked up the victory for the Bulldogs, throwing seven complete innings, scattering nine hits and three runs (all unearned), striking out five and walking just one. Ali Salter was given the loss, throwing a complete game and giving up 13 hits and seven runs.

Concordia starts the season 1-1 while Ottawa drops to 1-3. The next action for the Bulldogs is this upcoming weekend as Concordia heads to the Friends University Tournament in Wichita, Kan., March 6-7.

Bulldogs split with Dordt to open GPAC play

20 MAR 2009

The Concordia University softball team had a hot start to its GPAC season before cooling off to earn a split with the Dordt College defenders on Friday night at Plum Creek Park in Seward, Neb.

The Bulldogs easily handled the defenders with an 8-0 defeat in five innings during game one. Concordia broke the game open in the bottom of the first inning when Charlotte Kaeding doubled with two outs, and then Mikeala Klein reached on an error by the center fielder. Kendall Burgess then hit a towering home run to dead center field to give Concordia three runs.

Concordia again added runs in the bottom of the third when the Bulldogs added four runs on three base hits helped by the Defenders throwing errors. Concordia scored its eighth run of the game when Whitney Swanson led off the bottom of the fourth with a double to left center and was later driven in by Kaeding's single to center field.

The defenders struggled to gain any momentum offensively as Caitlin Lawrence held Dordt to three hits and only two runners advanced past first base. Lawrence moves to 2-0 on the season, while the Bulldogs moved to 1-0 in conference play and 5-5 overall.

Game two added more drama to the evening, with Dordt earned a 3-2 extra- innings victory over the Bulldogs. With many of the Concordia normal starters earning rest time, Dordt took advantage. Dordt took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning as Concordia walked two Defenders, hit a third and walked a run in. Concordia twice had runners on third but failed to connect on any scoring chances. Concordia tied the game in the bottom of the sixth when Courtney Thomas doubled to start the inning and was driven in by Kaeding in a pinch hit single.

With nothing decided during regulation, the two teams headed into the eighth inning with the international tie breaker rule in place, meaning the teams would start with a runner on second base. Dordt scored two runs in their opportunity in the top of the eighth on a pair of errors by the Bulldogs taking a 3-1 lead to the bottom of the eighth. Concordia scored just one run in the bottom half of the inning leaving runners in scoring position to end the game.

Courtney Thomas was saddled with the loss for the Bulldogs dropping her record to 0-4 for the 2009 season. The Bulldogs moved to 1-1 in the GPAC while falling to 5-6 overall.

Bulldogs dominate Red Raiders

21 MAR 2009

The Concordia University softball team righted the ship after a disappointing end to Friday night by taking out any remaining frustrations in two five inning poundings of the Northwestern College (Iowa) Red Raiders Saturday afternoon in Seward, Neb. Concordia defeated Northwestern by a combined 20-2 in the double header.

The Bulldog offense didn't waste any time getting rolling as Clarissa Eloge led off the Concordia half of the first with a double. Eloge was then caught attempting to steal third, but Concordia got back to back singles from Nikki Baker and Laura Fugate. Kendall Burgess continued her hot hitting ways with another tape measure home run to give the Bulldogs an early 3-0 lead.

Concordia added two more runs in the second inning when Eloge hit a two run home run driving in Natalie Jeppesen who had led off the inning with a single. Jeppesen scored the sixth run of the game for the Bulldogs when she doubled in the bottom of the third and was later driven in by Sally Wolff's single. Laura Fugate joined the hit parade in the bottom of the fourth, leading off with a home run to left field. Concordia's eighth, ninth, and tenth runs came when Concordia was able to string together three singles.

Northwestern's offense was stymied all day by Concordia starter Nicole Sempek who did not allow a Red Raider past second base until the top of the fifth inning when Northwestern's Kami Kuhlmann led off with a triple. With the victory Sempek moves to 4-1.

Game two followed suit from game one as Concordia scored runs in four of the five innings, earning a 10-2 victory in a game shortened to five innings due to the run rule. Jeppesen led the Bulldogs going 3-for-3 with two RBI's and two runs scored.

Courtney Thomas picked up her first victory of the season holding Northwestern to two earned  runs on four hits while striking out three. Thomas moves to 1-4 on the 2009 season.

With the victories Concordia is now 7-6 overall and 3-1 in the GPAC, while Northwestern falls to 2-12 overall and 0-4 in the GPAC.

Next action for the Bulldogs comes Tuesday evening at 5 p.m. as Concordia travels to Fremont, Neb. to take on the Midland Lutheran Warriors.

Broncos, Bulldogs split in Hastings

1 APR 2009

The Concordia University softball team split a midweek doubleheader with the Hastings College Broncos Wednesday night at the Smith Softball Complex in Hastings, Neb. Concordia took game one 5-4 but the Broncos stormed back to take game two 11-4.

In game one the Bulldogs surged to a 4-0 lead with a four-run, third inning offensive outburst. Clarissa Eloge led off the inning with a double and was moved to third when Nikki Baker laid down a successful drag bunt. Baker then stole second, but senior catcher Charlotte Kaeding was called out on strikes. Hastings could have avoided the big inning, but the Broncos left fielder misplayed a fly by Concordia's Kendall Burgess, leading to the first run for the Bulldogs. The error was compounded when the next hitter for Concordia, Laura Fugate, connected for a home run.

Hastings answered in the bottom of the fourth with four runs of their own to tie the game 4-4. The Broncos used a pair of singles and a fielder's choice call to push across their first run. Hastings then tied the game with its own three-run homerun.

Concordia took the lead 5-4 with a two-out homerun by Eloge in the top of the sixth inning. Bulldog starter, Nicole Sempek, was then able to strand the tying run at third in the bottom of the seventh to earn the victory. For Sempek this was her seventh win (7-1 overall) during the 2009 season. She threw a complete game against Hastings, giving up four runs (all earned) on eight hits while striking out three.

The Bulldogs were outslugged in game two, dropping the game 11-4. Concordia's pitching staff was able to keep the Broncos off the scoreboard in only one of the six innings. Concordia starter Caitlin Lawrence was saddled with the loss for the Bulldogs, pushing her record to 2-1 in 2009. Lawrence threw 2 1-3 innings, giving up six runs (all earned) on five hits. Concordia's offense in game two was held to four runs on nine hits but stranded seven runners on base.

With the split the Bulldogs are now 10-9 overall and 5-3 in the GPAC while Hastings is now 20-8 overall and 6-2 in the GPAC.

Next action for the Bulldogs comes April 3 as Concordia travels to Sioux City, Iowa, to take on the Morningside College Mustangs before returning home for a double header with Sioux Falls on April 4 at Plum Creek Park in Seward, Neb.

Morningside sweeps Bulldogs in Sioux City

3 APR 2009

The Concordia University softball team dropped a pair of GPAC games to Morningside College Friday afternoon at the Jensen Softball Complex in Sioux City, Iowa. The Mustangs took game one 5-1 before finishing the sweep with a 3-0 victory in game two.

In game one the Bulldogs outhit the Mustangs 7-6 but stranded eight runners on base. Clarissa Eloge scored the only run with a leadoff homerun in the top of the fifth inning. Laura Fugate added a pair of doubles to lead the Bulldog offense. Courtney Thomas picked up the loss for the Bulldogs, throwing a complete game. She give up five runs (all earned) on six hits.

Game two was a pitching duel. Concordia's Nicole Sempek kept the Mustangs' offense in check, holding Morningside to three runs (two earned) on just four hits. Unfortunately for Sempek the Bulldog offense was held to just one hit through the game and couldn't score. Concordia fell 3-0, and Sempek picked up just her second loss of the season.

The Bulldogs are now 10-11 overall and 5-5 in the GPAC. Morningside moves to 17-12 and 7-1 in the GPAC.

Concordia's doubleheader scheduled for Saturday has been postponed with no make-up date set at this time.

Bulldogs, Vikings trade comeback victories in split

7 APR 2009

The Concordia University softball team earned a split with the Dana College Vikings Tuesday night at Plum Creek Park in Seward, Neb. The Bulldogs took game one 3-2 before falling to the Vikings 9-6 in game two.

In game one a home run by Dana second baseman Melena Selzle gave the Vikings a 2-0 lead through three innings. The Bulldogs cut the lead to 2-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning when Clarissa Eloge led off with a double to right field. Eloge moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Nicole Baker and scored on Kendall Burgess' ringing single to left field.

Charlotte Kaeding then led off the bottom of the fifth with a double down the left-field line. Kaeding moved to third when Taylor Cameron grounded out to the third baseman and scored on a sacrifice fly by Sally Wolff to center field to tie the game, 2-2. The Bulldogs dodged a bullet in the top of the seventh when Dana put runners on first and second with just one out, but Concordia starter Nicole Sempek induced an inning-ending double play.

The Bulldogs loaded the bases with just one out in the bottom of the seventh with leadoff hitter Clarissa Eloge coming to bat.  Eloge found herself down 0-2 in the count, but she stayed alive by fouling off the next two pitches. With her next swing Eloge connected and the ball ended up in the area between first and home. Luckily for the Bulldogs, the Vikings catchers' foot was pulled off the base by the throw home and Concordia scored the winning run.

Nicole Sempek picked up the win for the Bulldogs, throwing a complete game. She gave up two runs (one earned) on seven hits. Sempek is now 8-2 on the 2009 season.

A hot start for the Vikings in game two put the Bulldogs behind 5-0 heading into the bottom of the third inning. Concordia then sent nine hitters to the plate, scoring three runs on four hits and one Dana error. Still trailing 5-3 in the bottom of the fifth inning, Concordia put together a single by Baker, a walk to Burgess and an RBI single by Whitney Swanson to score a run. With two outs and runners on second and third, Cameron came to the plate and the first pitch sailed to the backstop. Concordia's runner on third scampered home while the Dana catcher looked for the ball. Meanwhile the Vikings also failed to notice Concordia's runner from second base, Whitney Swanson, had rounded third and kept on going, giving Bulldogs a 6-5 lead.

The Bulldogs rode the momentum of the fifth inning and were two outs away from a 6-5 victory when the wheels came off. Dana leadoff hitter Beth Richmond laced a hard-hit single down the left-field line. The Vikings followed by hitting for the cycle as a team with Melena Selzle doubling, Cherilyn Lund tripling and Brianne Nutty capping off the rally with a two-run home run. With the Vikings ahead 9-6, Concordia went down quietly in the bottom of the seventh.

Courtney Thomas was tagged with the loss for the Bulldogs, throwing 6 1-3 innings. Thomas gave up nine runs (seven earned) on eight hits, pushing her record to 1-8 for the 2009 season.

With the split the Bulldogs are now 11-12 overall and 6-6 in the GPAC while the Vikings are 11-11 overall and 5-3 in the GPAC.

Bulldogs take two from Nebraska Wesleyan

15 APR 2009

The Concordia University softball team won both its games against the Nebraska Wesleyan Prairie Wolves Wednesday night at Plum Creek Park in Seward, Neb. Neither win came easily, however, as the Bulldogs needed extra innings to earn a 3-2 victory in game one and game two was a 5-4 nail-biter.

In game one the Prairie Wolves took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first when the first four hitters all reached base on three singles. Concordia answered when Charlotte Kaeding led off the bottom of the second with a towering home run over the left field fence. The Bulldogs took the lead in the bottom of the third on a deep sacrifice fly by Kendall Burgess, scoring Clarissa Eloge from third. Eloge had led off the inning with a single past the Nebraska Wesleyan shortstop.

Nebraska Wesleyan answered with their own run-scoring sacrifice fly in the top of the fifth, knotting the game at 2-2. Neither team was able to muster a legitimate scoring opportunity until Concordia's Sally Wolff led off the bottom of the ninth. Wolff made it all the way to second on a fly ball that was misplayed by the left fielder. Wolff moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Natalie Jeppesen and then was able to cross home as the game-ending run when Clarissa Eloge ripped a single down the left field line.

Nicole Sempek picked up her tenth win of the season, moving her record to 10-2 in 2009. Sempek threw a complete game, giving up two runs (both earned) on eight hits. Alysia Wittmack was given the loss for Nebraska Wesleyan. Her record drops to 11-6 in 2009.

Game two saw much of the same drama as Concordia, with one out, had to keep the tying run from scoring from third to hold on for the 5-4 victory.

The Bulldogs jumped to a quick 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first on the strength of a two-run home run from Burgess. Nebraska Wesleyan then scored four runs, all of which came because of three Concordia errors, to take a 4-2 lead over the next two innings. Concordia tied the game, 4-4, on a two-run scoring double to right center by second baseman Laura Fugate and took the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth on a solo homerun by Nicole Baker.

In the top of the seventh Nebraska Wesleyan had its leadoff hitter reach on a single to left field by Jenna Turner. Kim Salber was brought in to pinch run for Turner, adding more speed. Salber moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Megan Beckstead and to third on a ringing single to center field by Jamie Jaques. Nebraska Wesleyan failed to score the tying run from third when the next two hitters were retired by an infield popup and strikeout.

Caitlin Lawrence picked up the win for the Bulldogs, moving her record to 4-1. Lawrence went a complete seven innings, giving up four runs (none earned) on ten hits.

With the sweep the Bulldogs move to 15-12 overall and 8-6 in the GPAC and Nebraska Wesleyan falls to 16-12 overall, 8-6 in the GPAC. Concordia will travel north to take on Dakota Wesleyan on Friday, April 17 before taking on Mount Marty on Saturday, April 18.

Concordia sweeps Dakota Wesleyan in Mitchell

17 APR 2009

The Concordia University softball team used a pair of 7-2 victories over the Dakota Wesleyan Tigers Saturday afternoon to keep their hope of repeating as GPAC regular season champions alive.

Clarissa Eloge went 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs to lead a Concordia offense that had thirteen hits in game one. Nicole Baker, Kendall Burgess, Charlotte Kaeding and Whitney Swanson each has multiple hits in game one.

Nicole Sempek picked up the victory for Concordia, her eleventh of the season. Sempek threw five complete innings, giving up zero runs while allowing just three Tiger base hits.

Eloge added a second 3-for-4 effort in game two as the Concordia offense surged for six runs on six hits and two Tiger errors to take a 7-1 lead in the top of the third inning. Behind the stellar pitching of Courtney Thomas, the Bulldogs cruised to the 7-2 victory. Thomas picked up her second win of the season, throwing a complete game with only three hits.

With the sweep the Bulldogs are now 17-12 overall and 10-5 overall while Dakota Wesleyan falls to 8-22 overall and 4-16 in the GPAC. Concordia sits in fifth place in the GPAC with just two losses separating the top six teams in the conference.

The next action for the Bulldogs comes Monday, April 20, as Concordia welcomes the University of Sioux Falls Cougars. The doubleheader is set to begin at 5 p.m. at Plum Creek Park in Seward, Neb.

Errors hurt Bulldogs in split with USF

20 APR 2009

Strong winds caused a comedy of errors for the Concordia University softball team in a split with the University of Sioux Falls Cougars Monday night at Plum Creek Park in Seward, Neb. Concordia earned a comeback 14-8 victory in game one before falling 11-3 in game two.

Sioux Falls jumped out to 7-1 lead heading into the bottom of the third inning, helped out by five wind aided Concordia errors. Concordia jump-started its offense when Sioux Falls loaded the bases full of Bulldogs on three walks. Courtney Thomas quickly unloaded the bases with a two-run single. Concordia would go on to score five runs on three hits in the third inning to cut the Sioux Falls' advantage to 7-6. The Bulldogs would then rattle off eight unanswered runs to win game one 14-8.

Nicole Sempek earned her 12^th win of the 2009 season, throwing a complete game, giving up eight runs (two earned) on 11 hits and striking out six.

Game two saw many of the same defensive lapses for the Bulldogs. With the game tied 3-3 heading into the top of the fourth, Sioux Falls jumped out to a big lead. The Cougars struck for eight runs on five hits. Concordia had a chance to get out of the inning but errors kept the Cougars coming to the plate.

Caitlin Lawrence picked up the loss for the Bulldogs. Lawrence threw 3 2-3 innings, giving up seven runs (none earned) on six hits.

Bulldogs drop Tigers in Crete

21 APR 2009

Bouncing back from a rough split with Sioux Falls on Monday, the Concordia University softball team swept the Doane College Tigers Tuesday afternoon at Ledon Field in Crete, Neb.

Game one saw the Bulldogs jump out to an early lead when Clarissa Eloge homered to left field to lead off the game. Concordia pounded out 14 hits, leading to nine runs while committing four errors in the 9-2 victory. Nicole Sempek picked up her 13th win of the season as she held the Doane offense in check all afternoon. Sempek allowed just two runs on nine hits while walking none.

Offensively the Bulldogs were led by Kendall Burgess and Laura Fugate, who each went 3-for-4, while Eloge and Charlotte Kaeding had two hits a piece.

In game two, outs came at a premium as the two teams combined for 24 runs and 26 hits. Concordia won the slugfest 13-11. The Bulldogs started the onslaught with five runs on five hits in the top of the first. Doane responded with six runs on five hits in the next two innings to take a 6-5 lead.

Concordia then added five runs in the top of the fourth and fifth innings on the strength of four hits, including a home run by Eloge. Doane again responded with a big inning of five runs on seven hits, chasing Concordia starter Courtney Thomas from the game.Nicole Sempek returned from her game one victory for relief action. Sempek was able to keep the Tigers from extending their lead from 11-10 and allowed the Concordia offense to storm back for the victory.

The Bulldogs tied the game in the top of the sixth when Kendall Burgess homered to left field. Concordia then took the lead in the top of the seventh when Nicole Baker singled through the right side, scoring Natalie Jeppesen who had reached on a walk to lead off the inning.

Sempek was given the win for her relief appearance, moving her record to 14-2 in 2009. With the sweep the Bulldogs move to 20-13 overall and 13-7 in the GPAC while Doane falls to 18-17 overall and 13-9 in the GPAC.

The next action for the Bulldogs comes Thursday, April 23, with the Chargers of Briar Cliff coming to Plum Creek Park. The doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. in Seward, Neb.

Bulldogs sweep Chargers in Seward

23 APR 2009

The Concordia University softball team rallied for two come-from-behind wins in a row to sweep the Briar Cliff Chargers at Plum Creek Park in Seward, Neb on Thursday. Concordia took the first game 6-4 and game two 7-6 in nine innings.

In game one Briar Cliff gained a 1-0 lead in the third inning, but the Bulldogs took the lead back 2-1 on a two-run double by Charlotte Kaeding. The Chargers then stormed back for three runs aided by Bulldog errors in the top of the fifth inning. Trailing 4-2 in the bottom of the sixth, the two Concordia seniors Kaeding and Kendall Burgess, playing in their final home game of their careers, stepped up with a walk and a home run to tie the game 4-4. After a pair of singles by Whitney Swanson and Natalie Jeppesen, the Bulldogs retook the lead 5-4 on a single by Sally Wolff. Clarissa Eloge then drove in the Bulldogs' sixth run of the game with a single to right field, scoring Jeppesen.

Concordia starter Nicole Sempek then shut down the Chargers in the top of the seventh to earn her 15th victory of the season. Sempek is now 15-2 with a 2.40 ERA during the 2009 campaign.

The Bulldogs jumped out to a 5-0 lead in game two, but the lead quickly disappeared following physical and mental errors that allowed the Chargers back into the game. With runs in the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh innings, the Chargers took a 6-5 lead, looking to escape Seward with a split. Eloge singled to open the eighth inning, and Nicole Baker attempted to move her into scoring position. After a pair of bunts went foul Baker was retired swinging for the first out. The Bulldogs caught a break when Briar Cliff starter Camille Cruz walked the next two Concordia hitters, Kaeding and Burgess, to load the bases with one out. After a Laura Fugate strikeout, Swanson came to the plate with the bases loaded and two out. Swanson fouled off three full-count pitches to keep herself alive before drawing a walk that brought in Kaeding for the tying run. Briar Cliff escaped the big inning when Jeppesen, the next Concordia hitter, grounded out to Cruz.

Headed into the bottom of the ninth tied Baker led off the inning with a bunt single, but was retired when Kaeding hit a ground ball to the short stop. Kaeding beat out the double play attempt and moved to second on a single to right field by Burgess. With two on and one out, Fugate hit a soft ground ball to the second baseman who attempted to tag Burgess as she ran by. The throw to first base was late as Fugate hustled down the line, but with the commotion happening on the other side of the diamond, Kaeding came all the way around to score the winning run.

Courtney Thomas earned the win for the Bulldogs. Thomas threw 3 1-3 innings, giving up one run (unearned) on two hits.

The Bulldogs will now turn their attention to the 2009 GPAC post-season tournament April 29 through May 1 in Sioux City, Iowa.

Bulldogs earn No. 3 seed for GPAC tournament

With a sweep of Mt. Marty College on Monday night the Bulldogs locked up the No. 3 seed for the upcoming GPAC softball tournament. Morningside will be the number one seed when the tournament opens on Wednesday, April 29, in Sioux City, Iowa. The Mustangs were the GPAC regular season champions this year with an 18-6 record. The Mustangs, by winning the regular season, have earned the league's first automatic NAIA National Championship berth. The Tournament Champion will gain the second automatic berth for the GPAC, if Morningside wins the tournament the runner-up will gain the automatic berth. The top eight teams for the regular season have qualified for the conference tournament.

This year's GPAC Championship will be played at the SYA Softball Complex in Sioux City, Iowa (Riverside). The tournament will be played according to an eight team double-elimination bracket. The tournament will be played on Wednesday, April 29 - Friday, May 1, 2009. This is the first year the conference tournament will span three days. Morningside is the defending tournament champion.

The NAIA Softball National Championship will feature 32 teams this year and will be played in Decatur, Alabama, May 14-20, at the Wilson Morgan Softball Complex. 

Day One -Thursday, April 29, 2009
SYA Softball Complex
(Games 1 - 10)
Records- (Overall, GPAC)
Game 1-
Field 1, 2:00 pm
(1) Morningside (28-17, 18-6) vs. (8) Dordt (20-22, 13-11)
Game 2-
Field 2, 2:00 pm
(4) Hastings  (30-14, 16-8) vs. (5) Doane (19-18,14-10)
Game 3-
Field 3, 2:00 pm
(3) Concordia (24-13, 17-7) vs. (6) Briar Cliff (20-17, 12-10)
Game 4-
Field 4, 2:00 pm
(2) Midland Lutheran (32-13, 17-7) vs. (7) Dana (20-20, 13-11)
Game 5-
Field 2, 4:00 pm
Loser 1 vs. Loser 2 (elimination game)

Game 6- 
Field 4, 4:00 pm
Loser 3 vs. Loser 4 (elimination game)

Game 7-

Field 1, 4:00 pm
Winner 1 vs. Winner 2
Game 8-
Field 3, 4:00 pm
Winner 3 vs. Winner 4

Game 9-
Field 2, 6:00 pm
Loser  8 vs. Winner 5  (elimination game)

Game 10-
Field 1, 6:00 pm
Loser 7 vs. Winner 6 (elimination game)

Day Two - Friday, April 30, 2009
SYA Softball Complex
(Games 11-13)
Game 11-
Field 2, NOON

Winner 7 vs. Winner 8 (winners bracket championship)
Game 12-
Field 1, NOON
Winner  9 vs. Winner 10 (elimination game)
Game 13-
Field 2, 2:00 pm
Loser 11 vs. Winner 12 (loser's bracket championship)

Day Three - Saturday, May 1, 2009
SYA Softball Complex
(Game 14) (Game 15 if needed)

Game 14-
Field 2, NOON
Winner 11 vs. Winner 13 (Championship #1)
Game 15-
Field 2, 2:00 pm
(Championship #2 - If Needed)

Bulldogs 0-2 in GPAC tournament

30 APR 2009

The Concordia University softball team ended their season with two quick losses in the 2009 Great Plains Athletic Conference post-season tournament on Friday. Concordia dropped their opening round game to Briar Cliff 5-1 before losing the elimination game later in the day to Dana 2-1.

In the first round contest the Bulldogs jumped on the board early with a string of singles before Nicole Baker scored on a wild pitch to give Concordia the 1-0 lead. After the early success Concordia struggled on offense. The Bulldogs scored one run on two hits then had just three more hits for the remainder of the game. Briar Cliff earned five runs on thirteen hits off of Concordia starting pitcher Nicole Sempek.

In the elimination game versus Dana College, the Bulldog offense was again unable to put up the offensive numbers characteristic of their 2009 season.

Concordia concluded the 2009 season with a record of 24-15; the Bulldogs won 13 of their final 16 games to close out the season. The Bulldogs brought home a multitude of season awards. Most notably Clarissa Eloge was named the Hauff Mid-America Sports/GPAC Player-of-the-Year. Eloge, Baker and Kendall Burgess all picked up GPAC first team All-Conference honors. Sempek, Laura Fugate and Charlotte Kaeding were selected to the GPAC second team.

Bulldogs bring home honors

The Concordia University Softball brought home a multitude of season awards following 2009. Most notably Clarissa Eloge was named the Hauff Mid-America Sports/GPAC Player-of-the-Year.

Eloge, along with fellow teammates Nicole Baker and Kendall Burgess were selected to the first team GPAC All-Conference team. Nicole Sempek, Laura Fugate and Charlotte Kaeding were named to the GPAC second team.

The Bulldogs ended the season 24-15 overall and 17-7 in the GPAC with their season ending in the 2009 GPAC post season tournament.