Softball

2010 - Softball schedule/results

22-18 Overall, 14-14 GPAC - Season statistics

MARCH

March 5-6 FRIENDS Tournament Wichita, Kan.  
 March 5  Friends University    L 5-1
 March 5  NW Oklahoma State University    L 11-0
 March 5  Hillsdale Baptist    W 9-0
 March 6  William Jewell    W 4-2
 March 6  Sterling College    W 10-4
 March 6  Friends University    L 8-7
 March 12-13  Evangel Univ. Fillmore Memorial Tour.  Springfield, MO  
 March 12  Benedictine    W 7-2
 March 12  Williams Baptist College    L 9-0
 March 17  York College (2)  York, Neb.  W 7-0
 W 11-3
 March 25  York College (2)  York, Neb.  W 12-0
 W 7-2
March 29 Dakota Wesleyan University (2)* Seward, Neb. W 6-0
W 1-0 (8)
March 30 Midland Lutheran College (2)* Seward, Neb. W 13-1
W 2-1

APRIL

 April 7  Morningside College (2)*  Sioux City, Iowa  L 4-1
 L 6-2
April 9 Peru State College (2) Seward, Neb. W 4-1
W 3-0
 April 10  Mount Marty College (2)*  Seward, Neb.  W 8-0
 W 12-4
April 13 Hastings College (2)* Seward, Neb. W 2-0
L 13-4
April 17 University of Sioux Falls (2)* Sioux Falls, S.D. L 5-4
L 5-2
April 18 Nebraska Wesleyan University (2)* Lincoln, Neb. L 6-1
L 3-2
 April 20  Dana College (2)*  Blair, Neb.  L 1-0
 L 8-5
 April 22  Dordt College (2)*  Sioux Center, Iowa  W 13-2
 W 6-1
April 27 Briar Cliff University (2)* Sioux City, Iowa L 4-3
W 10-2
April 28 Doane College (2)* Seward, Neb. W 5-2
L 9-1

MAY

May 1 Northwestern College (2)* Orange City, Iowa W 3-0
L 4-1
May 6 - 8
May 6

May 7		 GPAC Tournament
vs. Morningside
vs. Dordt College
vs. Nebraska Wesleyan
vs. Midland Lutheran		 Hastings, Neb.
L 7-0
W 2-1
W 6-2
L 5-4

* Denotes GPAC Conference Games
Home games in BOLD

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2010 - Softball roster

No.

Name

B/T

Pos.

Yr.

Hometown

10

Nicole Baker

L/L

OF

JR

Arvada, Colo.

12

Nicole Sempek

R/R

P

SO

Columbus, Neb.

13

Gretchen Woebbecke

R/R

P

FR

Seward, Neb.

15

Clarissa Eloge

R/R

3B

JR

Rising City, Neb.

16

Nicole Mapes  

R/R

SS

FR

Greeley, Colo.

17

Natalie Svoboda

R/R

OF

FR

Lincoln, Neb.

18

Ellie Feilmeier  

L/L

C

JR

Early, Iowa

19

Sam LaFontaine

R/R

SS/3B

FR

Hermantown, Minn.

20

Caitlin Lawrence

R/R

P

SR

Torrington, Wyo.

21

Laura Fugate

R/R

2B

SR

North Platte, Neb.

22

Laura Jeppesen

R/R

OF

FR

Pleasant Dale, Neb.

25

Angela Harstad

R/R

3B/SS

FR

Lewiston, Minn.

27

Hailey Behlen

R/R

1B

SO

Seward, Neb.

28

Alyssa Bauwens

R/R

1B

SO

Perryville, Mo.

31

Sally Wolf

R/R

OF

SR

Aurora, Neb.

32

Mikaela Klein

R/R

2B

SO

Grand Island, Neb

Concordia goes 1-2 in opening day of Friends University Tournament

5 MAR 2010

Friends University 5, Concordia University 1

NW Oklahoma State University 11, Concordia University 0

Concordia University 9, Hillsdale Baptist 0 

The Concordia University softball team opened the 2010 season at the Friends University Tournament on Friday.  The Bulldogs went 1-2 in the first day of the tournament.  

In the first game, Concordia fell to the hosts from Friends University by the score of 5-1.  Nicole Sempek went all seven innings on the mound for the Bulldogs and struck out nine in the game.  However, the Concordia offense had trouble getting anything going.  The Bulldogs managed just one hit in the game, a solo homer by Hailey Behlen, and the host Falcons settled for the 5-1 win.

Concordia took on Northwestern Oklahoma State University in their second game on Friday.  The offensive struggles continued for Concordia, as the Bulldogs totaled just three hits in the game.  NWOSU, on the other hand, had its offense clicking on all cylinders.  The Rangers scored early and often and cruised to an 11-0 win. 

The Bulldog offense came to life against Hillsdale Baptist in the third game of the day.  Concordia totaled seven hits and used a balanced offensive attack to cruise to a 9-0 win.  Clarissa Eloge went 2-for-3 with two triples, and Hailey Behlen also added two hits.  Nicole Sempek was stellar on the mound.  Sempek tossed a no hitter with six strikeouts to lead Concordia to the win. 

Concordia concludes play in the Friends University Tournament on Saturday.  The Bulldogs face William Jewell at 10 a.m. and Sterling College in a 2 p.m. contest.

Bulldogs win two in final day of Friends Tournament

6 MAR 2010

Concordia University 4, William Jewell College 2

Concordia University 10, Sterling College 4

Friends University 8, Concordia University 7 

The Concordia University softball team concluded play in the Friends University Tournament on Saturday in Kansas.  After a tough opening day of the tournament, the Bulldogs went 2-1 on Saturday to take their overall record to 3-3 on the young season.

“It was a total transformation from day one to day two,” said Caroline Cubbage, head coach of the Bulldogs.  “After the first day, I asked the players to make some adjustments.  They did that, and we played much better on Saturday.” 

Concordia earned a 4-2 win over William Jewell College to open the day.  The Bulldogs scored four times in the first inning to take the early advantage.  Concordia used three hits and two William Jewell errors to put the four runs on the board.  William Jewell committed four errors in the game.  The Cardinals managed single runs in the fifth and seventh innings, but the Bulldogs held on for the win. 

Nicole Sempek had another strong outing on the mound for Concordia.  Sempek worked all seven innings and allowed just two runs on six hits with three walks and nine strikeouts.  Nicole Baker had three hits to pace the Concordia offense.  Laura Fugate and Caitlin Lawrence added two hits apiece.

Concordia cruised to a 10-4 win over Sterling College in the second game on Saturday.  Concordia pounded out 10 hits in the game.  Laura Fugate had a team-high three hits.  Caitlin Lawrence added a grand slam and five RBI’s for the Bulldogs.  Nicole Sempek worked the first five innings and struck out seven to earn the win on the mound. 

In the third game on Saturday, Friends University held on for an 8-7 win over the Bulldogs.  Friends scored all of its runs in the opening three innings.  Concordia attempted to rally in the seventh inning.  However, the Bulldogs left two runners on base to come up just short.  The victory by the Falcons offset a tremendous game at the plate by Concordia’s Clarissa Eloge.  Eloge belted three homers and drove in six runs.  Hailey Behlen also homered for the Bulldogs.

“Both of our pitchers really competed,” commented Cubbage.  “We were hitting the ball, and the number of errors went down.  We still have a lot of work to do, but I’m proud of the changes we made between Friday and Saturday.”        

Concordia will take part in the McPherson Tournament on March 12 and 13.

Concordia splits two games at Evangel University Tournament

12 MAR 2010

Concordia University 7, Benedictine College 2 (view stats)

Williams Baptist 9, Concordia University 0 (view stats) 

The Concordia University softball team played two games at the Evangel University Tournament this past Friday.  The Bulldogs went 1-1 on the day to move to 4-4 on the season.  Concordia’s final three games in the tournament were called off due to the weather. 

Concordia scored two runs in each of the first two innings and cruised to a 7-2 win over Benedictine College in the first game on Friday.  The Concordia offense totaled 11 hits in the contest, and pitcher Nicole Sempek was solid on the mound for the Bulldogs. 

The Bulldog offense plated two runs in the top of the first inning.  Laura Fugate homered to highlight the inning for the Bulldogs.  Benedictine used two hits and a Concordia error to score a single run in the bottom of the first to make the score 2-1. 

In the top of the second, Concordia scored two more runs.  With two outs in the frame, Nicole Baker singled and added a stolen base to reach second.  Fugate followed with a single to advance Baker to third, and Fugate followed with a stolen base to place runners at second and third.  A Benedictine error allowed both Baker and Fugate to score, and Concordia took a 4-1 lead. 

Benedictine cut the lead to two at 4-2 with a run in the bottom of the third.  The score remained the same until the top of the sixth.  Concordia used two hits, one Benedictine error and an RBI groundout by Natalie Svoboda to take a 5-2 lead.  The Bulldogs added two more insurance runs in the top of the seventh for the final score of 7-2. 

Laura Fugate went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and an RBI to pace Concordia offensively in the win.  Clarissa Eloge and Caitlin Lawrence each added two hits for the Bulldogs.  Nicole Sepek (4-1) allowed just two runs on six hits with no walks and six strikeouts on the day to pick up the win on the mound.  Beth Krogmeier went 3-for-3 with an RBI for Benedictine College. 

Williams Baptist earned an easy 9-0 win over Concordia in the final game on Friday.  The Lady Eagles finished with nine hits in the game, and Concordia committed four costly errors in the contest.  Hailey Behlen and Nicole Mapes had the only hits in the game, and Caitlin Lawrence (0-3) suffered the loss on the mound for the Bulldogs.  Marissa Hoehn and Ashley Boyles drove in two runs apiece for Williams Baptist. 

Concordia is scheduled to open conference play this weekend at home.  The Bulldogs host Morningside College on March 19 at 3 p.m. and Mount Marty College on March 20 at 1 p.m. 

Concordia improves to 6-4 with sweep of York College

17 MAR 2010

Game One: Concordia University 7, York College 0 (view stats)

Game Two: Concordia University 11, York College 3 (view stats) 

The Concordia University softball team earned two road wins over York College on Wednesday evening.  The Bulldogs improved to 6-4 on the season with the victories. 

Concordia cruised to a 7-0 win in game one.  The Bulldogs scored a single run in the top of the first.  Concordia added three runs in the fifth inning and then three more runs in the seventh inning to pull away for the win.   

The Bulldogs erupted for 15 hits, and Nicole Sempek and Caitlin Lawrence combined to shut down the York offense.  Offensively for Concordia, Nicole Baker went 4-for-4 with three runs scored and an RBI.  Laura Fugate went 2-for-4 with two RBI’s and two runs scored, and Clarissa Eloge was 1-for-3 with three RBI’s and a run scored.  Nicole Mapes added three hits, while Sempek and Lawrence added two hits apiece for the Bulldogs.

Sempek worked the first six innings to pick up the win on the mound for Concordia.  She allowed six hits and struck out seven to earn her fifth win of the year.  Lawrence allowed just one hit in her one inning of work. 

The offensive outburst continued for Concordia in game two.  The Bulldogs smacked 17 hits and settled for an easy 11-3 win.  Concordia scored two runs in the top of the first to take early control of the game.  The Bulldogs added three runs in the fourth, five runs in the fifth and a single run in the seventh. 

Eloge went 2-for-5 with a homer, two runs scored and four RBI’s to pace the Bulldogs offensively in game two.  Fugate went 3-for-5 with three runs scored, and Lawrence was 3-for-3 with two doubles, three RBI’s and a run scored.  Mapes also added three hits and scored two runs for the Bulldogs. 

Sempek (6-1) again earned the win on the mound for the Bulldogs.  She allowed three runs on four hits with one walk and three strikeouts in four innings of work.  Lawrence worked the final three innings and allowed four hits with one walk and one strikeout. 

Elizabeth Eklund took the loss for the Panthers.  She allowed 10 runs on 15 hits in 4.2 innings of work.  Devyn Pearl was 1-for-4 with a homer and three RBI for York College offensively. 

Weather permitting, Concordia is scheduled to open conference play this weekend against Morningside College and Mount Marty College.

Concordia earns second straight sweep of York College

25 MAR 2010

Game One - Concordia University 12, York College 0 (view stats)

Game Two - Concordia University 7, York College 2 (view stats)

The Concordia University softball team improved to 8-4 on the year with two wins over York College on Thursday afternoon.  The Bulldogs took game one 12-0 and earned a 7-2 victory in game two. 

The Bulldogs took control of game one with five runs in the second inning.  Concordia used four hits and took advantage of two York errors to plate the five runs.  Nicole Mapes singled to drive in two, and Clarissa Eloge added an RBI single to highlight the Bulldog second inning. 

Concordia took a 6-0 lead in the third on Hailey Behlen’s third homer of the year.  The Bulldog offense continued to pour it on with four more runs in the fourth inning.  Laura Fugate led the inning off with her second homer of the season to make the score 7-0.  Behlen added an RBI single, and Nicole Sempek’s 2-RBI double gave Concordia a 10-0 lead. 

Concordia added two insurance runs in the fifth inning.  Eloge connected on a two-run homer for the final score of 12-0.  It was the team-leading fifth homer of the year for Eloge.

The Bulldogs finished with 13 hits in the game.  Nicole Sempek was in total control on the mound.  She improved to 7-1 on the season and allowed just three hits with seven strikeouts in the contest. 

In game two, Concordia jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first.  Nicole Baker led off the inning with a single and stole two bases to advance to third.  Following a walk, Eloge smacked an RBI single to left to give the Bulldogs the early advantage. 

The score remained the same until the bottom of the third inning.  York College scored two runs to grab a 2-1 lead.  York had just one hit in the inning.  Concordia quickly tied the game with a single run in the fourth.  The Bulldogs used two hits, a York College error and a sacrifice fly by Nicole Mapes to plate the tying run. 

Following a scoreless fifth inning, Concordia grabbed a 3-2 lead in the top of the sixth on Natalie Svoboda’s first homer of the year.  The Bulldogs added four more runs in the top of the seventh for the final score of 7-2.  Laura Jeppesen singled to score two, while Caitlin Lawrence and Svoboda each added RBI’s in the Bulldog seventh inning. 

Sempek improved to 8-1 with another solid outing on the mound in game two.  York College managed the two runs on just six hits.  Sempek added four strikeouts to give her an even 60 strikeouts on the season. 

Concordia is scheduled to open conference play this weekend.  The Bulldogs host Dakota Wesleyan on March 27.  First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday. 

Concordia opens GPAC play with sweep of Dakota Wesleyan

29 MAR 2010

Game One: Concordia University 6, Dakota Wesleyan University 0 (view stats)

Game Two: Concordia University 1, Dakota Wesleyan University 0 (eight innings) view stats

The Concordia University softball team opened GPAC play with a sweep of Dakota Wesleyan University on Monday afternoon in Seward.  The Bulldogs picked up an easy 6-0 win in game one and pulled out a 1-0 win in game two.  With the wins, Concordia improved to 10-4 on the season with a 2-0 mark in GPAC play.  Dakota Wesleyan fell to 4-15 overall and 0-6 in GPAC play with the losses. 

Concordia scored in four different innings and used solid pitching from Nicole Sempek and Caitlin Lawrence to secure the 6-0 win in game one. 

Concordia grabbed a 1-0 lead in the second inning.  Nicole Mapes led off the inning with a double and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Hailey Behlen.  Sally Wolff followed with an RBI single to give the Bulldogs the early advantage. 

The Bulldogs added two more runs in the third for a 3-0 lead.  Laura Fugate tripled to lead off the inning and scored on a bunt by Clarissa Eloge.  Eloge later scored on a Dakota Wesleyan error for Concordia’s third run of the game. 

In the bottom of the fifth, Fugate again tripled to lead off the inning.  Eloge followed with an RBI double for the Bulldogs.  Concordia plated two more runs in the sixth for the final of 6-0.  Fugate drove in the two runs with a double. 

Sempek and Lawrence combined on the shutout for the Bulldogs.  Sempek earned her ninth win of the season after allowing just one hit with seven strikeouts in five innings of work.  Lawrence pitched the final two innings and allowed just one hit. 

Fugate was the offensive star in game one for the Bulldogs.  The senior went 3-for-4 with two RBI’s and two runs scored in the win.  Eloge was 1-for-3 with two RBI’s and a run scored for Concordia.

“I was really happy with our performance in the first game,” commented Concordia head coach Caroline Cubbage.  “I was pleased with our hitting and execution offensively, and we had solid pitching as well.”   

Both offenses went quiet in game two as Concordia pulled out a 1-0 win in eight innings.  Dakota Wesleyan had just two hits in the game.  Sempek was dominant once again on the mound.  The sophomore hurler from Columbus allowed just two hits with three strikeouts in the game to improve to 10-1 on the year.   

However, the Bulldog offense had trouble getting anything going.  Concordia had no more than one hit in any inning, and the Bulldogs didn’t have a great scoring chance until the bottom of the seventh.  Behlen led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice by Angela Harstad.  Sempek reached on a DWU error that advanced Behlen to third with only one out.  However, a strikeout and foul out ended the threat and sent the game into extra innings. 

Concordia finally broke through in the bottom of the eighth.  Fugate led off the inning with a single.  Eloge walked to put runners at first and second with nobody out.  Lawrence laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners to second and third with just one down.  Nicole Mapes followed with a ground ball to second base.  The throw home was just late, and Fugate scored the game-winning run for the Bulldogs. 

“I was satisfied with our pitching and defense in the second game, but we didn’t show up offensively,” said Cubbage.  “We caught a break and got the win.  We were pretty lucky.  But it’s always important to take two, especially with Midland coming here tomorrow.  Tomorrow is going to be a challenge, and our bats will have to show up.”   

Concordia hosts Midland on Tuesday in a GPAC double-header beginning at 5 p.m.

Concordia sweeps Midland Lutheran to remain perfect in GPAC play

30 MAR 2010

Game One: Concordia University 13, Midland Lutheran 1 (view stats)

Game Two: Concordia University 2, Midland Lutheran 1 (view stats)

The Concordia University softball team picked up two impressive wins over Midland Lutheran College on Tuesday evening in Seward.  The Bulldogs pounded the Warriors 13-1 in game one and rallied late for an exciting 2-1 win in game two.  Concordia has won eight straight games and sits at 12-4 overall and 4-0 in GPAC play.  Midland slipped to 11-11 on the year and 3-3 in the GPAC with the losses. 

In game one, Concordia jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the first inning.  Nicole Baker led off with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Laura Fugate.  Baker advanced to third on a stolen base and scored on an RBI double by Clarissa Eloge. 

The Bulldogs added three more runs in the second to take a 4-0 lead.  Following two hits and a hit batter, Baker delivered a two-run double to score Sally Wolff and Nicole Sempek.  Eloge also added an RBI single in the inning for Concordia. 

Midland scored a single run in the third to cut the Bulldog lead to three at 4-1.  However, Concordia put the game away with a huge fourth inning.  The Bulldogs plated nine runs on six hits and two Midland errors to grab a 13-1 lead. 

Sally Wolff led off the fourth inning with a single.  Wolff advanced to second on a single by Natalie Svoboda.  Baker followed with an RBI single to score Wolff.  A single by Fugate loaded the bases for the Bulldogs with nobody out.  Eloge walked to drive in Svoboda, and Caitlin Lawrence delivered an RBI single to score Baker.  The two Midland errors led to three more runs for the Bulldogs.  Nicole Sempek added a two-run double, and Svoboda added an RBI groundout for Concordia in the Bulldog fourth inning. 

Baker and Eloge each drove in three runs to pace the Concordia offense in game one.  Sempek added two RBI’s and was brilliant on the mound for the Bulldogs.  Sempek allowed just one run on four hits with one walk and five strikeouts in four innings of work to improve to 11-1 on the year.  Caitlin Lawrence pitched a perfect fifth inning for the Bulldogs in relief. 

Game two was a pitching dual between Sempek and Midland’s Kelly Sladek.  Neither team had many scoring chances, as both pitchers were in command throughout the game. 

The game remained scoreless until the fifth inning.  Sladek singled, and an RBI double by Erinn Brue gave Midland a 1-0 lead. 

The score remained the same until the bottom of the seventh.  Concordia, who had just one hit off of Sladek in the first six innings, rallied with three hits in the seventh.  Laura Fugate opened the inning with a sharp single down the left field line.  Eloge followed with a single to advance Fugate to second.  A sacrifice bunt by Lawrence advanced the runners to second and third with just one out.  A Nicole Mapes walk loaded the bases for the Bulldogs.  Hailey Behlen then smacked the game-winning single to right field, as Eloge just beat the tag at home for the winning run. 

Nicole Sempek (12-1) allowed just one run on eight hits with one walk and five strikeouts for Concordia on the mound.  Sladek (4-3) allowed the two runs on just four hits with two walks and 11 strikeouts for Midland Lutheran. 

“I’m very pleased with these wins,” said Caroline Cubbage, head coach of the Bulldogs.  “Midland is a team that will win a lot of games this year.  I was happy with our offense in the first game.  I’m excited that we came together and found a way to win the second game, a game that really could have gone either way.  It’s great to get two more wins, especially against a team like Midland.”

Concordia is off until April 7 when the Bulldogs host a home conference double-header against Morningside at 3 p.m. 

Concordia falls at Morningside College, 4-1 and 6-2

7 APR 2010

Game One: Morningside College 4, Concordia University 1 (view stats) 

Game Two: Morningside College 6, Concordia University 2 (view stats)

The Concordia University softball team dropped a pair of games at Morningside College on Wednesday afternoon.  Scores of the games were 4-1 and 6-2.  The Mustangs improved to 17-5 overall and 5-1 in the GPAC with the wins.  Concordia had its eight-game winning streak snapped with the losses.  The Bulldogs are now 12-6 overall and 4-2 in conference play. 

Game one remained scoreless until the bottom of the third inning.  Morningside’s Kayla Clarey singled to lead off the inning and advanced to second on a stolen base.  A sacrifice bunt advanced Clarey to third with two outs, and a Concordia error allowed her to score the first run of the game. 

The Mustangs added two more runs in the fourth inning.  Mackenzie Neely singled to lead off the inning and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt.  With two outs in the inning, an error again cost the Bulldogs a run.  Already leading 2-0, Clarey added an RBI single in the fourth to push the Morningside lead to 3-0. 

Morningside plated a single run in the fifth to take a 4-0 lead.  Allison VonEhwegen singled and was moved to second on a sacrifice.  A double by Kirsten Dargy put runners at second and third with just one out.  Neely’s sacrifice fly scored VonEhwegen and gave the Mustangs the four-run advantage. 

Concordia finally got on the board in the seventh inning.  With two outs in the inning, Natalie Svoboda singled and advanced to second on a Morningside error.  Nicole Baker followed with an RBI double to score Svoboda.  Laura Fugate singled to put runners at first and third with two away.  But Clarissa Eloge flied out to end the game, and the Mustangs secured the 4-1 win. 

Concordia had six hits in the game compared to five for Morningside.  However, the Concordia defense committed three costly errors in the contest.  Kelly Baumert (8-4) earned the win on the mound for the Mustangs.  She allowed the one run with three walks and 11 strikeouts in the game.  Nicole Sempek (12-2) took the loss for the Bulldogs.  Sempek allowed four runs (one earned) on five hits with no walks and six strikeouts in five innings of work.  Caitlin Lawrence pitched a scoreless inning in relief for Concordia. 

In game two, Morningside rallied in the final innings to claim the 6-2 win.  The Mustangs took an early lead in the first inning.  VonEhwegen singled, stole second and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt.  She scored on a sacrifice fly, and the Mustangs took a 1-0 lead. 

The score remained the same until the fifth inning.  Concordia used two hits and a Mustang error to plate two runs.  Sempek reached on an error to lead off the inning.  With two outs, Nicole Baker smacked an RBI triple to score Sempek.  An RBI single by Fugate gave the Bulldogs their first lead of the day at 2-1. 

Morningside quickly tied the game in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI triple by VonEhwegen.  Following a scoreless top of the sixth for Concordia, the Mustangs pulled away with two homers in the bottom half of the inning.  Emily Wassom and Kayla Clarey each delivered a two-run homer in the Mustang sixth.  Concordia was unable to mount a late rally, and Morningside settled for the 6-2 victory. 

Morningside had six hits in game two compared to just four for the Bulldogs.  Morgan Swanson earned the win on the mound for the Mustangs and improved to 8-1 on the season.  She allowed two runs (neither earned) with no walks and eight strikeouts. 

Nicole Sempek suffered the loss on the mound and is now 12-3 on the season.  She allowed six runs on six hits with three walks and five strikeouts in 5.1 innings of work.   

Concordia returns home for games on Friday and Saturday.  The Bulldogs host Peru State in a double-header beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday.  Concordia returns to GPAC play with a home double-header against Mount Marty on Saturday at 1 p.m. 

Concordia picks up a pair of wins over Peru State

9 APR 2010

Game One: Concordia University 4, Peru State College 1 (view stats)

Game Two: Concordia University 3, Peru State College 0 (view stats)

The Concordia University softball team bounced back with a pair of wins over Peru State College on Friday evening in Seward.  Scores were 4-1 and 3-0.  The Bulldogs improved to 14-6 on the year, while Peru State dropped to 13-16-1 on the season with the losses. 

In game one, Peru State scored their only run of the game in the top of the first inning.  With two outs in the inning, Alyssa Mangum tripled to right field.  Emily Maresh followed with an RBI single to give the Bobcats the early advantage. 

Concordia erased the lead quickly with three runs in the bottom of the first.  Nicole Baker reached base via a bunt single to lead off the inning and quickly stole second.  Laura Fugate’s RBI single scored Baker and tied the game at 1-1.  Clarissa Eloge drilled a double to put runners at second and third with still nobody out.  Caitlin Lawrence delivered a two-run single to increase the Bulldog lead to 3-1. 

The Bulldogs tacked on one more run in the bottom of the fourth.  Concordia used two walks, a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly by Fugate to grab a 4-1 lead. 

Concordia’s Nicole Sempek improved to 13-3 on the year with the win on the mound.  She worked all seven innings and allowed the one run on just five hits with eight strikeouts.  Sempek allowed just three hits in the final six innings of the game.  Lauren Fiori (3-5) took the loss on the mound for the Bobcats.  She allowed the four runs on seven hits with three walks and two strikeouts. 

Lawrence went 2-for-3 with two RBI’s to pace the Concordia offense in game one.  Fugate added a hit and two RBI’s for the Bulldogs. 

In game two, Caitlin Lawrence (1-3) was in total command on the mound for the Bulldogs.  The senior worked all seven innings and allowed just four hits to pick up her first win of the season.

Concordia grabbed the lead with a single run in the third inning.  Fugate reached on a Peru State error and advanced to second on a stolen base.  Eloge delivered an RBI single which scored Fugate and gave Concordia the 1-0 lead. 

The Bulldogs added a pair of runs in the fourth inning.  Hailey Behlen started the inning with a single.  Sally Wolff’s single put runners at first and second with one out.  Following a sacrifice bunt by Laura Jeppesen that moved the runners to second and third with two away, Natalie Svoboda delivered a clutch two-run single to push the Bulldog lead to 3-0.  Lawrence closed the door on the Bobcat offense, and Concordia settled for the 3-0 win. 

Eloge was a perfect 3-for-3 in game two with an RBI.  Svoboda added a hit and two RBI’s, while Behlen went 1-for-3 with a run scored for the Bulldogs. 

Nicole Goodrich (5-5) suffered the loss for the Bobcats.  She allowed three runs (two earned) on eight hits with four strikeouts on the night. 

Concordia returns to GPAC play on Saturday with a home double-header against Mount Marty College beginning at 1 p.m. at Plum Creek Park. 

Bulldogs smash Mount Marty in GPAC double-header

10 APR 2010

Game One: Concordia University 8, Mount Marty College 0 (view stats)

Game Two: Concordia University 12, Mount Marty College 4 (view stats)

The Concordia University softball team improved to 6-2 in conference play with a sweep of Mount Marty College on Saturday afternoon in Seward.  The Bulldogs have now won four straight games to sit at 16-6 overall on the year.  Mount Marty dropped to 8-13 overall and 3-7 in GPAC play with the losses. 

In game one, Concordia picked up an 8-0 win in six innings.  Concordia pounded 14 hits in the game compared to just four for the visiting Lancers.  The Bulldogs scored at least one run in every inning, and Nicole Sempek (14-3) was in total command on the mound for the Bulldogs. 

Concordia grabbed a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning.  Laura Fugate singled with one out in the inning.  Clarissa Eloge earned a walk, and Nicole Mapes singled to load the bases.  Hailey Behlen followed with a two-run single up the middle to put the Bulldogs on top. 

The Bulldogs added single runs in the second and third innings.  Fugate had an RBI single in the second, and Sempek delivered an RBI double in the third to increase the Concordia lead to 4-0. 

Concordia continued to pile it on with two more runs in the fourth.  With one out, Eloge smacked a solo homer to left field.  Behlen added an RBI single to score Mapes later in the inning, and Concordia took a 6-0 lead into the fifth inning. 

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Alyssa Bauwens connected on a pinch hit homer to increase the lead to 7-0.  The Bulldogs added a single run in the sixth to claim the easy 8-0 win. 

Fugate and Eloge had three hits apiece for Concordia in the win.  Mapes and Behlen each added two hits and Behlen knocked in three runs for the Bulldogs.  Sempek worked all six innings on the mound to pick up win No. 14 of the year.  The sophomore allowed just four hits with no walks and six strikeouts. 

The offensive onslaught continued for Concordia in game two.  The Bulldogs picked up a 12-4 win in six innings.  Concordia totaled 16 hits in the game and used several big innings to put the Lancers away. 

In the bottom of the first, Concordia took a 2-0 lead.  The Bulldogs used three hits and a wild pitch to take the early advantage.  Nicole Mapes’ RBI double highlighted Concordia’s two-run first inning. 

Mount Marty plated a single run in the second to cut the lead to one at 2-1, but Concordia responded with four runs in the bottom of the second.  Nicole Baker had an RBI single, and Fugate drilled a three-run bomb over the left field fence to increase the Concordia lead to 6-1. 

Mount Marty rallied in the third.  Concordia starting pitcher Caitlin Lawrence struggled, as the Lancers opened the inning with four straight hits.  The Lancers plated two runs and were threatening for more with two runners on and nobody out.  However, Concordia’s Nicole Sempek came on in relief and shut the door on the Mount Marty rally attempt.  The Bulldogs maintained a 6-3 lead heading into the fourth inning. 

In the bottom of the fourth, Concordia used three hits and a Mount Marty error to score two runs.  With the bases loaded and just one out in the inning, Eloge came through with a two-run single to extend the Concordia lead to five at 8-3. 

A solo homer by Mount Marty in the fifth made the score 8-4.  The Bulldogs responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the fifth.  Natalie Svoboda plated Alyssa Bauwens with an RBI single for the Bulldogs. 

Concordia ended the game with three runs in the bottom of the sixth.  Eloge led off the frame with her second homer of the day.  Behlen added an RBI double, and an RBI single by Bauwens gave the Bulldogs the 12-4 victory. 

Laura Fugate was 3-for-4 with three RBI’s and two runs scored, while Clarissa Eloge was 2-for-4 with three RBI’s and a run scored for the Bulldogs.  Natalie Svoboda was a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI.  Nicole Baker was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI, and Alyssa Bauwens went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored for Concordia in the win. 

Nicole Sempek (15-3) picked up the win in relief for the Bulldogs.  She allowed just one run on two hits with no walks and four strikeouts in four innings of work. 

Concordia hosts Hastings College on April 13.  The conference double-header begins at 5 p.m. at Plum Creek Park in Seward.

Concordia and Hastings College split GPAC double-header

13 APR 2010

Game One: Concordia University 2, Hastings College 0 (view stats)

Game Two: Hastings College 13, Concordia University 4 (view stats)

Concordia University and Hastings College split two GPAC softball games on Tuesday evening in Seward.  The Bulldogs took game one by the score of 2-0.  Hastings responded with a 13-4 win in game two.  Concordia is 17-7 overall and 7-3 in the GPAC, while Hastings is 16-15 overall and 9-3 in conference play.  Hastings and Concordia are currently third and fifth, respectively, in the conference standings.

Bulldog pitcher Nicole Sempek improved to 16-3 on the season with the win on the mound in game one.  She allowed just three hits to go along with one walk and 12 strikeouts in the game. 

Concordia grabbed a 1-0 lead in the third inning.  The Bulldogs didn’t have a hit in the inning, but used a Hastings College error and wild pitch to score the first run of the game.  Concordia added an insurance run in the sixth inning.  Caitlin Lawrence singled to lead off the inning, and she advanced to second on a passed ball.  Nicole Mapes followed with an RBI single to increase the Bulldog lead to 2-0.

Mapes was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with an RBI to pace the Concordia offense in game one.  Nicole Baker, Clarissa Eloge and Lawrence also added hits for the Bulldogs.   

Chelsey Woodside (7-4) suffered the loss for the Broncos.  Woodside allowed the two runs on six hits with two walks and three strikeouts in the game.  Felicia Graff, Casie Connolly and Woodside had the only hits of the game for Hastings offensively.

Game two was a much different story, as Hastings College cruised to the 13-4 win.  The Broncos scored in five of the seven innings, and Concordia committed five errors in the game. 

In the second inning, Hastings used two Concordia errors and a three-run homer by Ashlee Lueders to take a 3-0 lead in the second inning.  Hastings added three more runs in the third.  Following two quick outs, Chelsey Woodside and Stacey Paldino each singled.  Rochelle Finnigan followed with another three-run blast to give the Broncos a 6-0 advantage.

An RBI single by Kayla Peltz gave Hastings a 7-0 lead in the top of the fourth.  Concordia finally got on the board with a single run in the bottom of the fourth.  Mapes connected on her first homer of the season to make the score 7-1. 

Things went from bad to worse for Concordia in the top of the fifth.  A line drive up the middle struck Nicole Sempek and forced the Concordia ace out of the game.  The Broncos added two runs in the inning to grab a 9-1 lead. 

Concordia scored two in the bottom of the fifth.  With one out in the inning, Natalie Svoboda tripled to right field.  Two batters later, Laura Fugate smacked her fourth homer of the year to pull the Bulldogs within six at 9-3. 

The Broncos poured it on with four more runs in the seventh inning.  Lueders led off the inning with her second homer of the evening.  Paldino added a two-run single, and Finnigan added an RBI single in the Hastings seventh inning.  The Bulldogs plated a single run in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI groundout by Fugate for the final score of 13-4.  

Paldino (8-4) picked up the win on the mound for Hastings in game two.  She allowed four runs on nine hits with three strikeouts on the night.  Finnigan and Lueders each drove in four runs to lead the Bronco offense. 

Caitlin Lawrence (1-4) suffered the loss for the Bulldogs.  She allowed eight runs on eight hits in 4 1/3 innings of work.  Sempek allowed five runs on six hits with two strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings of relief.  Nicole Baker went 3-for-4 at the plate for Concordia offensively in the loss.   

Concordia travels to Dana College on Thursday.  The GPAC double-header is scheduled for 5 p.m. in Blair. 

Bulldogs suffer 5-4 and 5-2 losses at Sioux Falls

17 APR 2010

Game One: University of Sioux Falls 5, Concordia University 4 (view stats)

Game Two: University of Sioux Falls 5, Concordia University 2 (view stats) 

The University of Sioux Falls earned a pair of upset wins over Concordia in GPAC softball action on Saturday.  Scores of the games were 5-4 and 5-2.  The Cougars improved to 6-20 overall and 5-11 in the GPAC with the wins, while the Bulldogs slipped to 17-9 overall and 7-5 in conference play with the losses.

USF rallied for the 5-4 win in game one.  Concordia came out swinging and took an early 3-0 lead in the first inning.  Nicole Baker led off the inning with a walk, and Laura Fugate followed with a single.  Clarissa Eloge delivered a two-run single to score both runners.  Later in the inning, an RBI double by Caitlin Lawrence gave Concordia the 3-0 advantage. 

The score remained the same until the bottom of the fourth.  With one out in the inning, Baylee Washburn and Lindsey Johnson each singled and advanced to second and third on a Concordia error.  Naomi Tesar followed with a two-run single for the Cougars.  Later in the inning, Caitlin Block drove in a pair with a double to give Sioux Falls a 4-3 lead. 

Concordia used a single hit and a USF error to tie the game at 4-4 in the fifth.  But Sioux Falls came right back with a single run in the bottom of the sixth to reclaim the lead at 5-4.  Andrea Hacker had an RBI triple in the Cougar sixth inning.  Concordia was unable to rally in the seventh, and USF secured the 5-4 victory. 

Sioux Falls had 12 hits in the game compared to six for Concordia.  Each team committed one error in the contest.  Caitlin Lawrence went 2-for-3 with an RBI, and Clarissa Eloge was 1-for-3 with a pair of RBI’s for the Bulldogs offensively.  Lawrence (1-5) suffered the loss on the mound.  She allowed five runs on 12 hits with one walk and five strikeouts in six innings of work. 

Lindsey Johnson picked up the win for USF.  Johnson allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits with three walks and nine strikeouts.  Block and Tesar drove in two runs apiece to pace the Cougars offensively in the game one win. 

Sioux Falls used one big inning to pick up the 5-2 victory over the Bulldogs in game two.  Concordia grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first inning.  Nicole Baker singled to lead off the inning and advanced to third on a USF error.  Fugate followed with an RBI single to give the Dogs the lead. 

Concordia plated another single run in the third for a 2-0 lead.  Baker again singled to lead off the inning, and a walk to Fugate put runners at first and second with nobody out.  Eloge smacked an RBI single to score Baker, but Concordia left two runners on base in the inning. 

USF took control of the game in the bottom of the fourth.  The Cougars scored five runs on five hits in the inning.  Janni Brylla’s two-run single and Katie Farley’s two-run double highlighted the huge inning.  Caitlin Block added an RBI single in the inning for the Cougars.      

Concordia left four more runners on base in the final three innings, and USF completed the sweep with the 5-2 win. 

Baker and Eloge each went 2-for-3 for Concordia offensively.  Baker (0-1) took the loss on the mound after allowing four runs on three hits with two walks and two strikeouts in 3.1 innings of work. 

Six different players had hits for Sioux Falls in the second game.  Christina Bonrud went the distance on the mound to pick up the win for USF.  She allowed the two runs on just five hits with three walks and eight strikeouts. 

Concordia travels to Nebraska Wesleyan for another GPAC double-header on Sunday.  The games are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. in Lincoln.

Bulldogs fall at Nebraska Wesleyan, 6-1 and 3-2

18 APR 2010

Game One: Nebraska Wesleyan 6, Concordia University 1 (view stats)

Game Two: Nebraska Wesleyan 3, Concordia University 2 (view stats)

The recent struggles for the Concordia softball team continued with two losses at Nebraska Wesleyan on Sunday.  NWU picked up 6-1 and 3-2 victories over the Bulldogs to improve to 19-7 overall and 10-2 in conference play.  Concordia has dropped five straight and is 17-11 overall and 7-7 in the GPAC. 

Nebraska Wesleyan used a pair of big innings to earn the 6-1 win in the first game.  Concordia grabbed a 1-0 lead in the third on an RBI single by Nicole Baker.  The Wolves responded with three runs in the bottom of the inning.  Following two quick outs, Dani Bryant singled and stole a base.  Megan Beckstead followed with an RBI single to tie the game at 1-1.  Marcia Kennedy then homered to give NWU a 3-1 lead. 

Wesleyan piled it on with three more runs in the fifth for the final score of 6-1.  Lauren Bodfield’s two-run single highlighted the fifth inning for the Prairie Wolves.

NWU finished with nine hits in the game compared to five for Concordia.  Alysia Wittmaack (11-2) went the distance on the mound for Nebraska Wesleyan.  She allowed the one run on five hits with one walk and nine strikeouts.  Kennedy drove in three runs, and Bodfield added two RBI’s for NWU in the game one victory. 

Caitlin Lawrence (1-6) took the loss for Concordia.  Lawrence allowed six runs on eight hits with one walk and four strikeouts in five innings of work.  Baker pitched one scoreless inning of relief for the Bulldogs.  Natalie Svoboda went 2-for-3 with a run scored, and Baker went 1-for-4 with an RBI for Concordia offensively. 

Game two saw Nebraska Wesleyan rally in the final three innings for the 3-2 win.  The Prairie Wolves struck first with a single run in the first inning.  The Bulldogs quickly tied the game with a run in the second on an RBI single by Sally Wolff. 

Concordia took a 2-1 lead in the fourth.  Svoboda singled and stole a base to lead off the inning.  She later scored on a Nebraska Wesleyan error. 

The Prairie Wolves tied the game in the bottom of the fifth.  Dani Bryant singled and stole two bases to move to third.  Beckstead delivered an RBI single to make the score 2-2. 

The game remained tied until the bottom of the seventh.  With one out in the inning, Beckstead singled and moved to second on a ground out by Kennedy.  Lauren Bodifield hit the game-winning RBI single to give the Wolves the 3-2 victory. 

NWU totaled 11 hits in the game compared to six for Concordia.  Wesleyan committed the only error of the game.  Wittmaack moved to 12-2 with the win in relief for the Prairie Wolves. 

Nicole Sempek (16-4) took the loss on the mound for the Bulldogs.  In her first game back from injury, she allowed the three runs on 11 hits with eight strikeouts in 6.2 innings of work.  Svoboda and Wolff had two hits apiece for Concordia offensively in the loss. 

Concordia travels to Dana College on Tuesday.  The double-header begins at 5 p.m. in Blair.

Struggles continue as Bulldogs drop two at Dana College

20 APR 2010

Game One: Dana College 1, Concordia University 0 (view stats)

Game Two: Dana College 8, Concordia University 5 (view stats)

The Dana College softball team took two games from Concordia on Tuesday evening in Blair.  Scores of the contests were 1-0 and 8-5.  The host Vikings improved to 12-13 overall and 7-7 in the GPAC with the wins.  Concordia lost its seventh game in a row to sit at 17-13 overall and 7-9 in conference play. 

In game one, Dana scored an unearned run in the bottom of the first inning.  Viking pitcher Brianne Nutty allowed just four hits and struck out 16 Concordia batters in the game to pick up the win on the mound.  Nutty also added two hits and scored the only run of the game for Dana.  Nicole Sempek pitched well but suffered the tough loss on the mound for the Bulldogs. 

Concordia had three homers in the second game.  Laura Fugate had two of the blasts for the Bulldogs, but Dana used a five-run second inning to help secure the 8-5 win.  Brittany Schuller picked up the win for Dana College.  Nutty had a homer and earned the save on the mound for the Vikings.  Nicole Baker suffered the loss on the mound for Concordia. 

The Bulldogs travel to Briar Cliff University on April 23 and Dordt College on April 24.

Bulldogs back on track with sweep of Dordt College

22 APR 2010

Game One: Concordia University 13, Dordt College 2

Game Two: Concordia University 6, Dordt College 1

The Concordia University softball team earned key conference wins over Dordt College on Thursday afternoon.  Scores of the games were 13-2 and 6-1.  Concordia snapped a seven-game losing streak with the wins and improved to 19-13 overall and 9-9 in GPAC play.  Dordt College dropped to 13-17 overall with the losses.  The Defenders are also 9-9 in the GPAC.     

Dordt College opened the scoring in game one with a single run in the first inning.  The Bulldogs put together a huge inning in the second.  Concordia batted around and plated five runs to take a 5-1 lead. 

The Bulldogs added two more runs in the third.  Laura Fugate had an RBI single, and a Dordt College error gave the Bulldogs a 7-1 lead.  Concordia added another run in the fifth to take an 8-1 lead.  Fugate doubled with one out in the inning and later scored on an RBI single by Clarissa Eloge. 

Concordia added yet another run in the sixth.  Following two quick outs, Angela Harstad singled.  Ellie Feilmeier followed with an RBI triple to plate Harstad and give the Bulldogs a 9-1 advantage. 

Dordt scored to make it 9-2 in the bottom of the sixth.  In the top of the seventh, Fugate led off the inning with a solo homer to increase the Concordia lead to 10-2.  Hailey Behlen’s RBI single also highlighted the Bulldog seventh, and Concordia settled for the 13-2 win. 

Nicole Sempek improved to 17-5 on the year with the win on the mound.  Caitlin Lawrence worked the final two innings for the Bulldogs.  Fugate was the offensive star in game one.  She went 4-for-5 in the game with her seventh homer of the season. 

Game two remained scoreless until the third inning.  Harstad led off the Concordia third with a single.  Feilmeier followed with a bunt, and a throwing error by Dordt allowed Harstad to come all the way around to score.  An RBI single by Nicole Baker scored Feilmeier to increase the Concordia lead to 2-0.  With two outs in the inning, an RBI single by Eloge gave the Bulldogs a 3-0 cushion. 

Dordt College used a walk and two hits with two outs to pull within two at 3-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning.  However, the Defenders left two runners on base in the inning.  Concordia quickly responded in the top of the fifth.  Baker reached first on a bunt single, and Eloge came through once again with an RBI double to give the Bulldogs a 4-1 lead.  Eloge later scored on a Dordt College throwing error for a 5-1 Concordia lead.

The Bulldogs added another insurance run in the top of the sixth inning on an RBI single by Fugate.  Nicole Sempek shut the door on the Defenders in the final innings, and Concordia settled for the 6-1 victory. 

Sempek was in cruise control once again on the mound in game two.  She picked up her 18th win of the season with the complete-game effort. 

Concordia travels to Briar Cliff for a GPAC double-header on Friday.

Bulldogs go 1-1 at Briar Cliff

27 APR 2010

Game One: Briar Cliff University 4, Concordia University 3 (view stats)

Game Two: Concordia University 10, Briar Cliff University 2 (view stats) 

Concordia University and Briar Cliff University competed in a GPAC softball double-header on Tuesday afternoon in Sioux City.  The teams split the two games.  Briar Cliff held on for a 4-3 win in game one, and Concordia picked up an easy 10-2 win in game two.  The Bulldogs are 20-14 overall and 10-10 in the GPAC.  The Chargers are 14-15 overall and 8-8 in conference play. 

Game one remained scoreless until the bottom of the third.  The host Chargers had three doubles in the inning, including a two-run double by Brianna Steiner.  Reagon Anthony added an RBI single in the inning, and Briar Cliff held a 3-0 advantage heading to the fourth. 

Concordia got on the board with a pair of runs in the fifth.  Nicole Baker had an RBI single, and Laura Fugate had an RBI double for the Bulldogs in the inning.  The Bulldogs tied the game at 3-3 in the top of the sixth inning on a leadoff solo homer by Natalie Svoboda. 

In the bottom of the sixth, Briar Cliff’s Bailey Huls smacked a solo homer to reclaim the lead for the Chargers at 4-3.  Concordia had one hit in the seventh, but Briar Cliff held on for the victory. 

Briar Cliff had five hits in the game compared to four for Concordia, and each team committed two errors.  Camille Cruz picked up the win on the mound for BCU.  She allowed the three runs on four hits with three walks and nine strikeouts.  Nicole Sempek dropped to 18-6 with the loss on the mound for the Bulldogs.  She allowed the four runs on five hits with one walk and seven strikeouts. 

Briar Cliff took a 1-0 lead in the first inning of game two, but Concordia controlled the rest of the game.  The Bulldogs tied the game at 1-1 in the second on an RBI single by Ellie Feilmeier. 

The Bulldogs added three more runs in the third to take a 4-1 lead.  Laura Fugate led off the inning with her eighth homer of the year.  Svoboda added a two-run homer, her second homer of the day, in the Concordia third inning. 

Concordia tacked on another two runs in the fifth to grab a 6-2 lead.  Nicole Baker tripled and scored on Clarissa Eloge’s eighth homer of the year.  An RBI groundout by Angela Harstad in the sixth inning increased the Concordia lead to five at 7-2.  The Bulldogs continued to pour it on with three more runs in the seventh for the final score of 10-2. 

Sempek (19-6) bounced back to pick up the win in game two for the Bulldogs.  She allowed two runs on five hits with five strikeouts in six innings of work.  Caitlin Lawrence worked the final inning for the Bulldogs.  Fugate was 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI, while Nicole Mapes was 3-for-4 with two runs scored.  Svoboda added three RBI’s in the Concordia win. 

Concordia hosts Doane College on Wednesday.  It will be Senior Night, and the GPAC double-header is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. 

Concordia wins game one, struggles in game two against Doane

28 APR 2010

Game One: Concordia University 5, Doane College 2 (view stats)

Game Two: Doane College 9, Concordia University 1 (view stats) 

Concordia University and Doane College split two games on Wednesday evening in Seward.  The Bulldogs took game one 5-2, and Doane cruised to a 9-1 win in game two.  Concordia is 21-15 on the year with an 11-11 mark in conference play.  Doane is 20-17 overall and 12-10 in GPAC play. 

Doane opened the scoring in game one with a single run in the first.  Deidre Cardoza and Christy Kobza had back-to-back doubles in the inning, and the Tigers claimed the early 1-0 lead. 

Concordia took the lead in the bottom of the third.  Following two quick outs, Nicole Baker connected on a solo homer to tie the score at 1-1.  Clarissa Eloge followed with a single and moved to second on a wild pitch.  Nicole Mapes delivered an RBI single to give the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead. 

The visiting Tigers tied the game on a solo homer by Amber Stater in the top of the sixth inning.  Concordia, however, had the answer in the bottom of the inning.  Natalie Svoboda singled to lead off the inning and later advanced to second on a walk to Ellie Feilmeier.  A single by Sally Wolff loaded the bases for the Bulldogs with just one out.  A wild pitch scored Svoboda and gave Concordia a 3-2 lead.  Laura Fugate followed with a two-run single for the final score of 5-2. 

Concordia totaled eight hits in game one compared to six for Doane.  Wolff went 2-for-3 with a run scored, and Fugate knocked in two runs to lead the way offensively for the Bulldogs in the victory.  Nicole Sempek improved to 20-6 on the year with the win on the mound.  She allowed the two runs on six hits with three walks and six strikeouts.  Jenna Alswager suffered the loss on the mound for Doane. 

Doane got a great pitching performance by Megan Wingate in game two.  The Tigers also took advantage of several miscues by the Concordia defense to pick up the easy 9-1 win.  Concordia managed just three hits and committed seven errors in game two. 

The Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on no hits and two Concordia errors.  Doane used three hits and another Bulldog error to grab a 3-0 lead in the top of the fourth.  Concordia scored its lone run of the game in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI double by Feilmeier. 

The miscues continued for Concordia in the fifth inning.  Doane used a hit, two walks, a hit batter, a sacrifice fly and another Concordia error to add two more runs and take a 5-1 lead.  Doane put the game away with four runs in the sixth inning.  The Tigers opened the inning with five straight hits.  Deidre Cardoza smacked a two-run double, and Brooke Sampson added an RBI double to highlight the big inning for Doane. 

Wingate improved to 6-1 on the year with the win.  Sempek dropped to 20-7 on the year with the loss.  Sempek allowed seven runs (three earned) on eight hits with two walks and two strikeouts in five innings of work.  Caitlin Lawrence worked the final two innings for the Bulldogs and allowed two runs on three hits. 

Concordia concludes the regular season with a GPAC double-header at Northwestern College on May 1. 

Bulldogs split with Northwestern, clinch spot in GPAC Tournament

1 MAY 2010

Game One: Concordia University 3, Northwestern College 0 (view stats)

Game Two: Northwestern College 4, Concordia University 1 (view stats) 

Concordia University and Northwestern College split a pair of GPAC softball games on Saturday afternoon.  The Bulldogs took game one by the score of 3-0, while the Red Raiders took game two by the tally of 4-1.  Concordia is 22-16 overall and 12-12 in the GPAC.  Northwestern is 9-31 overall and 5-19 in the GPAC.  With the split, the Bulldogs secured the eight seed in the upcoming GPAC Tournament. 

Nicole Sempek was one out away from a no-hitter in game one.  She improved to 21-7 on the year with the win and allowed just one hit with one walk and five strikeouts in the game.  Sara Curry singled to left with two outs in the bottom of the seventh for the only Northwestern hit of the game.   

Both teams struggled offensively, as the Bulldogs managed just four hits in the game.  The Northwestern defense also struggled with four errors in game one. 

Concordia grabbed a 1-0 lead in the second inning on an RBI double by Mikaela Klein.  Concordia plated its other two runs in the top of the seventh.  Following two quick outs, Ellie Feilmeier reached on catcher’s interference.  She advanced to third on a single by Angela Harstad, and both players scored on a two-run double by Laura Fugate.

Northwestern scored a pair of runs in the sixth and seventh innings to take game two by the final of 4-1.  The Concordia offense again struggled with just four hits in the contest. 

The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the fifth inning.  Northwestern pitcher Jessica Hooper singled with one out in the inning.  Rachel Harris followed with an RBI triple, and Harris scored on a Concordia error to give the Raiders a 2-0 lead. 

Northwestern added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth.  Hooper and Heidi Esdohr had RBI singles in the inning for the Raiders.  The Concordia offense, however, scored its lone run in the top of the seventh on a solo homer by Clarissa Eloge. 

Hooper (4-12) picked up the win on the mound for the Raiders.  She went the distance and allowed the one run on four hits with one walk and three strikeouts.  Sempek (21-8) suffered the loss for Concordia.  She allowed the four runs on 12 hits with four strikeouts in six innings of work. 

Concordia will take on Morningside in the first round of the GPAC Tournament.  The Mustangs are the No. 1 seed in the tournament.  First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. on May 6 in Hastings.

Concordia goes 1-1 in first day of GPAC Softball Tournament

6 MAY 2010

Morningside College 7, Concordia University 0 (view stats)

Concordia University 2, Dordt College 1 (view stats)

The Concordia University softball team went 1-1 in the opening day of the GPAC Softball Tournament.  Morningside College defeated the Bulldogs 7-0 in the opening round, but Concordia responded with a 2-1 win over Dordt College to stay alive. 

Morningside College, the No. 1 seed in the tournament, jumped out to a 2-0 lead over the Bulldogs in the third inning.  Erin Bohlmann delivered a two-run single for the Mustangs in the inning. 

The Mustangs added three more in the fifth to take a 5-0 advantage.  Mackenzie Neely and Kayla Clarey each drove in runs to highlight the Morningside fifth.  Morningside finished the scoring with two more runs in the sixth on a two-run single by Kirsten Dargy. 

Morningside totaled nine hits in the game compared to just five for Concordia.  The Bulldogs also committed three errors in the contest.  Kelly Baumert worked all seven innings to pick up the win on the mound for the Mustangs.  She struck out 13 batters on the night.  Nicole Sempek suffered the loss for Concordia.  She allowed five runs (three earned) on seven hits with three strikeouts in five innings of work. 

In the 2-1 win over Dordt, the Bulldogs jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a sacrifice fly by Nicole Mapes.  Dordt tied the game at 1-1 with an unearned run in the bottom of the third.  The Defenders used just one hit and a Bulldog error to plate the run. 

Concordia scored the eventual game-winning run in the top of the fifth.  Sally Wolff singled, and a stolen base moved her to second.  With two outs in the inning, Angela Harstad came through with a clutch RBI single to give the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead.  Dordt left the bases loaded in the sixth and left the potential tying run at third in the bottom of the seventh, and Concordia held on for the win. 

Laura Fugate went 3-for-3 at the plate to pace the Concordia offense.  Sempek went the distance on the mound to pick up the win for Concordia.  She allowed the one unearned run with one walk and nine strikeouts. 

Concordia returns to action on Friday.  The Bulldogs face another elimination game beginning at noon in Hastings.

Concordia handles Nebraska Wesleyan to stay alive in GPAC Tournament

7 MAY 2010

Concordia University 6, Nebraska Wesleyan University 2 (view stats) 

Concordia University stayed alive in the GPAC Softball Tournament with a 6-2 victory over Nebraska Wesleyan on Friday afternoon in Hastings.  The loss eliminated Nebraska Wesleyan for the tournament, while Concordia advanced to face Midland Lutheran later in the day.  The Bulldogs improved to 24-17 on the year with the win. 

Concordia pounded 13 hits and overcame four errors in the win.  The Bulldogs took a 2-0 lead in the third inning.  Laura Fugate doubled to lead off the inning, and an RBI single by Clarissa Eloge put the Bulldogs on the board.  Natalie Svoboda added an RBI single in the inning for the 2-0 Concordia lead. 

Wesleyan cut the lead to one with a single run in the bottom of the third.  Concordia reclaimed a two run lead at 3-1 with a run in the fifth inning.  Nicole Baker led off the inning with a single, and Nicole Mapes drove her in with an RBI single. 

The Bulldogs put the game away with three runs in the top of the seventh.  Svoboda, Hailey Behlen and Angela Harstad all drove in runs as the Bulldogs took a 6-1 lead.  Nebraska Wesleyan got a solo homer in the bottom of the seventh for the final score of 6-2. 

Eloge was 3-for-4 with one RBI and two runs scored for Concordia offensively.  Svoboda and Harstad added two hits apiece for the Bulldogs.  Nicole Sempek worked all seven innings on the mound for Concordia.  She allowed just two runs (one earned) on six hits with two walks and two strikeouts.  Alysia Wittmaack suffered the loss for the Prairie Wolves.  She allowed six runs on 13 hits with three walks and eight strikeouts.

Concordia knocked out of GPAC Tournament with 5-4 loss to Midland

7 MAY 2010

Midland Lutheran 5, Concordia University 4 (view stats) 

Midland Lutheran rallied for a 5-4 win over Concordia on Friday afternoon in the GPAC Softball Tournament in Hastings.  Midland advanced to play Hastings College, while Concordia was eliminated from the tournament.  The Bulldogs finished the year at 24-18. 

The Bulldogs jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first inning.  Laura Fugate walked to lead off the inning.  Following a stolen base, Fugate scored the first run of the game on an RBI double by Clarissa Eloge. 

Midland tied it up in the bottom of the third on an RBI single by Tiana Gataivasa. 

Concordia built a 3-1 lead in the top of the fifth.  Sally Wolff led off the inning with a single, and a Midland error allowed her to get to second.  Wolff advanced to third on a ground ball.  Fugate was walked and advanced to second to put runners at second and third with two outs.  Nicole Baker followed with a big two-run double to put the Bulldogs on top. 

Midland responded to tie the game in the bottom of the fifth.  Natalie Meduna started things off with an RBI double.  Kat Nickel followed with an RBI single for the Warriors. 

With one out in the bottom of the sixth, Midland’s Shannon DePuy connected on a solo homer to put the Warriors on top by the count of 4-3.  Midland added another run in the inning to take a 5-3 lead.  Gataivasa reached on a Concordia error which allowed the fifth run of the game to cross the plate for the Warriors.

That error proved costly, as Concordia scored a single run in the top of the seventh.  With two outs in the inning, Fugate singled and advanced to second on an error.  Baker followed with an RBI single to make the score 5-4.  Concordia had runners at first and second, but Nicole Mapes grounded out to end the game. 

Baker went 2-for-4 with three RBI’s, while Eloge went 2-for-2 with an RBI for the Bulldogs in the loss.  Nicole Sempek took the loss after allowing five runs (four earned) on 13 hits with one walk and six strikeouts.  Sempek finished the season at 22-10 overall. 

Meduna was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate for the Warriors.  Kelly Sladek moved to 13-9 on the year with the win on the mound for Midland.  She allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits with four walks and seven strikeouts.

Fugate named GPAC Player-of-the-Week

Concordia infielder Laura Fugate was named Hauff Mid-America Sports/GPAC Softball Player-of-the-Week on Tuesday.  

Fugate, a senior from North Platte, went 7-of-14 at the plate for the Bulldogs last week.  She totaled three homers and seven RBI’s while scoring four runs.  So far this season, Fugate is second on the team in batting average (.431) and homers (7).  She has scored 33 runs to lead the team and has nine stolen bases so far this year. 

Concordia is 19-13 overall and 9-9 in the GPAC.  The Bulldogs travel to Briar Cliff on Tuesday and host Doane College on Wednesday. 

Concordia places four on All-Conference Team

The 2010 Great Plains Athletic Conference Softball All-Conference team has been announced after a vote by the league coaches.  This year’s All-Conference Team consists of a first-team, second-team and an honorable mention list.  Concordia University had four players earn GPAC honors for their efforts in the 2010 season.  Nicole Baker, Clarissa Eloge and Laura Fugate were named to the First Team, while Nicole Sempek was named to the Second Team.

“I’m very happy with our representation on the GPAC All-Conference Teams,” remarked Caroline Cubbage, head coach for the Bulldogs.  “All of these players performed at a high level for our team this year.”   

Baker, a junior from Colorado, was third on the team with a .378 average (54-of-143).  She was second on the team in doubles (7), runs scored (35) and hits (54).  Baker easily led the team in stolen bases with 24, and her .510 slugging percentage was good for third on the team. 

Eloge, a junior infielder from Rising City, had another impressive year for the Bulldogs in 2010.  She was one of three players to start all 42 games for Concordia in 2010.  She hit a team-best .423 (52-of-123) with team-highs in doubles (11), homers (9), runs batted in (43), on-base percentage (.500) and slugging percentage (.748).  She also scored 32 runs and added 17 walks and two stolen bases on the year. 

“Nicole and Clarissa respectively served their time in our number two and three spots in the batting order,” noted Cubbage.  “Baker did a fantastic job of finding a way to get on base, and Eloge served as a remarkable clutch hitter as the season progressed.” 

Fugate, a senior infielder from North Platte, led Concordia with 38 runs scored and 56 hits.  She was second on the team in batting average (.409), homers (8), runs batted in (33) and slugging percentage (.664).  Fugate also added 10 stolen bases to rank second on the team.  She was the only member of the team to earn GPAC Player-of-the-Week honors during the 2010 season.

“Laura spent over half of the season in our leadoff spot and did an incredible job of not only getting on base but also hitting for an impressively high average,” said Cubbage.  

Sempek, a sophomore from Columbus, had a solid year on the mound for the Bulldogs.  She finished with a 23-10 record and accounted for all but one of Concordia's victories this season.  She logged over 200 innings and struck out 193 to go against just 30 walks.  Sempek finished with a 1.91 ERA, tossed 21 complete games and picked up six shutouts during the year.  “Nicole was a standout performer on the mound for us this year,” stated Cubbage.

Concordia finished the season with a 24-18 record overall.  The Bulldogs were 12-12 in the Great Plains Athletic Conference.

Three Bulldog softball players named to 2010 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete list

Three Concordia University softball players were named as 2010 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes on Tuesday.  Nominated by each institution's head coach, a student-athlete must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and have achieved junior academic status to qualify.  Sally Wolff, Laura Fugate and Nicole Baker represent Concordia as 2010 Scholar-Athletes. 

Wolff, a senior from Aurora, appeared in 39 games with 38 starts in the outfield for Concordia in her senior year.  She totaled one homer, nine RBI’s, 15 runs scored and five stolen bases during the 2010 season. 

Fugate, a senior from North Platte, was a First Team All-GPAC performer in 2010.  She led Concordia with 38 runs scored and 56 hits in her senior season.  Fugate was second on the team in batting average (.409), homers (8), runs batted in (33) and slugging percentage (.664).  She also added 10 stolen bases to rank second on the team and was the only member of the team to earn GPAC Player-of-the-Week honors this season. 

Baker, a junior from Arvada, Colorado, earned First Team All-GPAC honors this season for the Bulldogs.  She was third on the team with a .378 average and was second on the team in doubles (7), runs scored (35) and hits (54).  Baker easily led the team in stolen bases with 24, and her .510 slugging percentage was good for third on the team.  

Eloge named captain of NAIA All-Nebraska Team

Concordia junior Clarissa Eloge has been selected as the honorary captain of the Midlands College All-Nebraska NAIA Softball Team.  Senior Laura Fugate and sophomore Nicole Baker were also selected to the team, while sophomore Nicole Sempek was an honorable mention selection. 

Eloge hit a team-best .423 during the 2010 season and also led the team in doubles (11), homers (9), runs batted in (43), on-base percentage (.500) and slugging percentage (.748).  She also scored 32 runs and added 17 walks and two stolen bases on the year.  She ranked at or near the top of the GPAC in most offensive categories. 

Fugate led Concordia with 38 runs scored and 56 hits in 2010.  She was second on the team in batting average (.409), homers (8), runs batted in (33) and slugging percentage (.664) and also added 10 stolen bases to rank second on the team.  She was the only Concordia player to earn GPAC Player-of-the-Week honors during the 2010 season.

Baker was third on the team with a .378 average and was second on the team in doubles (7), runs scored (35) and hits (54).  She led the team in stolen bases with 24, and her .510 slugging percentage was good for third on the team.

Sempek finished the 2010 season with a 23-10 record and accounted for all but one of Concordia's victories on the year.  She struck out 193, finished with a 1.91 ERA, tossed 21 complete games and picked up six shutouts during the year.  Sempek has a 39-13 record with 38 complete games, nine shutouts and 271 strikeouts in her first two years on the mound for the Bulldogs. 

Concordia finished with a 24-18 overall record to go along with a 12-12 mark in GPAC play in 2010.