Softball

2012 - Softball Schedule/Results

20-19 overall, 13-7 GPAC - View stats for the season

MARCH

  Mar. 5 York College (2) Seward, Neb. W, 9-0 (5)
W, 5-4 (8) 
Spring Break Tournament - Florida
  Mar. 10 Webber International University (2) Babson Park, Fla. W, 1-0 (8)
L, 1-9 (6) 
  Mar. 12 (RV) Warner College (2) Lake Wales, Fla. L, 1-2
L, 0-3 
  Mar. 13 Florida Southern College (2) Lakeland, Fla. L, 1-5
L, 1-3 
  Mar. 14 Eckerd College (2) St. Petersburg, Fla. W, 7-5
L, 2-6 
  Mar. 23 Northwestern College* (2) Orange City, Iowa L, 9-10
L, 4-6 
  Mar. 24 Dordt College* (2) Sioux Center, Iowa W, 2-0
W, 4-2 
  Mar. 27 Doane College* (2) Seward, Neb. W, 3-2 (9)
W, 7-3 
  Mar. 28 Central Christian College (2) Seward, Neb.

W, 8-3
W, 12-4 (6) 

  Mar. 30 Bethany College (2) Lindsborg, Kan.  L, 2-3
L, 1-7 

APRIL

  April 3 Bellevue University (2) Bellevue, Neb. L, 2-5
L, 0-5 
  April 11 Hastings College* (2) Seward, Neb. W, 2-0,
L, 2-5 
  April 18 Nebraska Wesleyan University* (2) Lincoln, Neb.

W, 2-0,
L, 4-5 

  April 20 Mount Marty College* (2) Yankton, S.D. W, 5-0,
L, 1-2 
  April 21 Briar Cliff University* (2) Sioux City, Iowa W, 6-5 (10),
W, 8-3 
  April 24 Midland University* (2) Seward, Neb. W, 7-6,
L, 2-3
  April 25 Morningside College* (2) Seward, Neb. L, 0-1,
W, 2-1 (10) 
  April 28 Dakota Wesleyan University* (2) Seward, Neb. W, 5-2,
W, 2-1 

MAY

GPAC Tournament
  May 3 % vs. No. 6 Dordt Hastings, Neb. W, 8-3
  May 3 % vs. No. 2 Doane Hastings, Neb. L, 5-6
  May 5 % vs. No. 8 Hastings Hastings, Neb. L, 0-3


*Indicates Great Plains Athletic Conference Games

%Indicates Great Plains Athletic Conference Tournament Games

 All Home Games in BOLD

2012 Bulldog Softball

No.

Name

B/T

Pos.

Yr.

Hometown

10

Regan Doiel

L/R

OF

Fr.

Millard, Neb.

12

Nicole Sempek

R/R

P

Sr.

Columbus, Neb.

14

Kelsey Timmerman

R/R 

SS/C

So. 

O'Neill, Neb. 

15

Clarissa Beving

R/R

C/U

Fr.

Hartley, Iowa

16

Nicole Mapes  

R/R

OF/SS

Jr.

Greeley, Colo.

17

Natalie Svoboda

R/R

OF

Jr.

Lincoln, Neb.

18

Amanda Beeson 

R/R 

P/1B

So.

Waverly, Neb.

19

Sam LaFontaine

R/R

SS/2B

Jr.

Hermantown, Minn.

20 

Shelby Morose 

R/R

2B

So.

Claremore, Okla. 

22

Amber Topil

R/R 

C 

So. 

Seward, Neb.

23 

Megan Osladil 

 R/R  OF  So. 

Sheboygan, Wisc. 

24

Natalie Jeppesen

 R/R SS/3B So.

Pleasant Dale, Neb.

25

Angela Harstad

R/R

3B/C

Jr.

Lewiston, Minn.

26 

Jacy Beeson 

R/R

C

Jr.

Waverly, Neb.

27

Molly Madsen

R/R

IF

Fr.

Thornton, Colo.

28

Alyssa Bauwens

R/R

1B/OF

Sr.

Perryville, Mo.

31

Amanda Baldwin 

R/R 

3B/OF 

So. 

Wilber, Neb. 

32

Mikaela Klein

R/R

2B/SS

Sr.

Grand Island, Neb.

33

 Liz Maxwell

R/R

C/3B

Fr.

Fullerton, Calif.

2012 - Softball Coaching staff

Head Coach: Frank Greene

Assistant Coach: Clarissa Eloge

Bulldogs voted third in 2012 GPAC preseason coaches' poll

26 JAN 2012

Concordia University is selected to finish third in the 2012 GPAC softball season.  The conference preseason coaches’ poll was released Thursday.  The complete poll is below.  The GPAC softball season will consist of 20 games (10 doubleheaders).  The 2012 GPAC Softball Tournament will be held in Hastings from May 3-5.  The Bulldogs were 27-17 overall and 14-8 in GPAC play last season.   

2012 GPAC Preseason Poll
1. Morningside – 100 (10 first place votes)
2. Nebraska Wesleyan – 85 (1 first place vote)
3. Concordia University – 76
4. Doane College – 67
5. Dordt College – 66
6. Midland University – 53
7. Northwestern College – 50
8. Hastings College – 47
9. Mount Marty – 26
10. Briar Cliff University – 19
11. Dakota Wesleyan - 16

Bulldogs sweep DH to open season behind Sempek's perfect game 9-0 and a walk-off thriller in the nightcap, 5-4

5 MAR 2012

The Concordia University (Neb.) softball team got its 2012 season off to a rockin' start with a perfect game and a walk-off win to sweep a double header from York College on Monday, Mar. 5. The victory moved the Bulldogs to 2-0, while the Panthers fell to 2-5 on the season.

The Bulldogs busted out of the gates with a 9-0 run-rule victory.  Senior hurler Nicole Sempek (Columbus, Neb.) was simply perfect, recording six strikeouts over five innings to lead Concordia.

Offensively, the entire team contributed, as everyone in the lineup delivered either an RBI or a run scored.  Juniors Nicole Mapes (Greeley, Colo.) and Natalie Svoboda (Lincoln, Neb.) provided the biggest production.  Mapes was 2-for-3 in the game, with two runs scored and two RBI.  Her triple to lead off the second inning ignited the Concordia offense as the Bulldogs put up four in the frame.  Svoboda finished the game 3-for-3 with two RBI including a two run single in the third to make it 6-0 at the time.  

While the first contest was a laugher, the second one was a nail biter.  

York scratched across an unearned run in the first inning, but the Bulldogs came back on a leadoff single by Svoboda and an RBI double from senior Mikaela Klein (Grand Island, Neb.)  to tie the game at 1-1.  Concordia added a single run in the second, but York responded with a two-run double off the bat of Arica Reeves to reclaim the lead at 3-2.

Concordia pulled even once more in the bottom of the third as sophomore Shelby Morose (Claremore, Ok.) reached on an infield single, then senior Amanda Bauwens (Perryville, Mo.) blasted an RBI double into center to make it 3-3. 

The Bulldogs appeared to take control in the bottom of the fifth as Bauwens smashed the first home run of the season over the center field wall to build a 4-3 edge.  Head coach Frank Green turned to Sempek to try and close the game for starter sophomore Amanda Beeson (Waverly, Neb.).  Sempek, however, surrendered a game-tying home run to the first batter she faced in the sixth, Corrine Pearl. 

The game remained tied through the end of regulation and the teams agreed to move into international tie-breaker rules.  As the visiting team, York placed a runner at second to open the eighth inning.  The Panthers worked the bases loaded with only one out, but Sempek rose to the challenge by striking out Brittney Shaw and pinch-hitter Maicey Madden to end the threat.

Filled with energy, the Bulldogs placed sophomore Amanda Baldwin (Wilber, Neb.) at second to open their half of the frame.  Svoboda quickly sacrificed Baldwin to third, then Morose lifted a soft line drive into right field to win the game. 

Sempek (2-0) picked up the victory with three innings of one relief, allowing three hits and one walk.  Sempek recorded seven of the nine outs she notched in the second game via the strikeout.

Morose finished the second half of the double-header 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored, while Bauwens was 2-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored.  

The Bulldogs will be back in action on Saturday, Mar. 10 as Concordia begins play in its spring break tournament against Webber International University at 1 p.m. in Babson Park, Fla.

Concordia opens spring break trip with doubleheader split against Webber International

10 MAR 2012

The Concordia University (Neb.) softball team opened its spring break trip with a doubleheader split at Webber International on Saturday, March 10.  The Bulldogs took the first game 1-0 in eight innings, but dropped the second contest 9-1 (6). 

Following Saturday's action Concordia is 3-1 on the season, while Webber International moved to 12-11 overall. 

The opener was another showcase for senior pitcher Nicole Sempek (Columbus, Neb.).  Building upon the perfect game she tossed in the season opener, Sempek allowed just four hits and did not walk a batter in eight innings to move to 3-0 on the season.  Sempek faced just 20 hitters through six innings, but allowed a one-out double in the bottom of the seventh.  With the game on the line, Sempek induced an easy popup to short and a lazy fly ball to center to send the game to an extra frame. 

Held at bay throughout the game by the Warriors' Levy Kiana, the Bulldogs offense leapt at new life in the eighth.  Moving to international tiebreaker rules, the Bulldogs placed sophomore Kelsey Timmerman (O'Neil, Neb.) at second base to begin the inning.  Junior Angela Harstad (Lewiston, Minn.) sent Timmerman to third with a sharp single to center.  The next batter, senior Natalie Svoboda (Lincoln, Neb.), slapped an RBI single up the middle to provide all the offense necessary to claim the 1-0 win.  

In the bottom half of the frame, Sempek induced a pop up and two ground out to preserve the victory.  Sempek improved to 3-0 in the circle this season, recording three strikeouts.

Concordia didn't fare as well in the second game as the Warriors offense notched a single run in the second, three in the third and another in the fourth to build a 5-0 lead.  

The Bulldogs recorded their first hit in the top of the sixth as sophomore Amanda Baldwin (Wilbur, Neb.) blasted a triple to right center.  Svoboda followed with an RBI single to left, but that was all the offense for Concordia.  

Webber International salted away the game with four runs in the bottom of the sixth to end the game one inning early.

Dana Roloff picked up the win (3-1), allowing one run on two hits and two walks in six innings.  Concordia sophomore Amanda Beeson (Waverly, Neb.) suffered the loss, surrendering nine runs on 15 hits and a walk in 5.2 innings pitched.

The Bulldogs return to the diamond on Monday, March 12 to face Warner College at 12 p.m.

Bulldogs swept by Warner 2-1 and 3-0

12 MAR 2012

The Concordia University, Nebraska, softball team gave Warner University (RV) all it could handle, but just missed taking a road contest from the Royals on Monday, March 12.  The Bulldogs dropped both games of their doubleheader, 2-1 and 3-0.  

Following the losses, Concordia's record fell to 3-3.  The Royals, meanwhile, moved to 10-7 on the season. 

Game One: Warner 2, Concordia 1

The first game got off to a rough start for the Bulldogs as Warner scored two unearned runs in the bottom of the first.  The Royals' leadoff hitter Tabitha Martin reached on a error, then Bulldog starter sophomore Amanda Beeson (Waverly, Neb.) issued consecutive walks to load the bases with nobody out.  Warner's two runs both scored on the ensuing play as a fielder's choice resulted in a two run error.  

Beeson (0-2) settled down from there and delivered her best outing of the season, scattering three hits and three walks the rest of the way.  

Unfortunately the Bulldogs offense struggled with Warner starter Kaitlyn Grimail.  Concordia was retired in order in four of the seven innings, notching its lone run courtesy of three Royals errors in the fourth.  Conocordia's first hit of the game came in the bottom of the seventh as sophomore Amber Topil (Seward, Neb.) broke up the no-hit bid with two outs.

Grimail (4-5) allowed just one hit and one walk, while striking out six in the win. 

Game Two: Warner 3, Concordia 0

The Bulldogs offense continued to struggle in game two.  In both the fourth and fifth innings, Concordia got a leadoff single only to strand the runner.  The Bulldogs managed just four baserunners in the contest as Werner's Haylee Padgett provided a dominant performance.

Concordia starter, senior Nicole Sempek (Columbus, Neb.), suffered her first loss (3-1) of the season, allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk in seven innings.  All three of the Royals runs came in the bottom of the fourth on a leadoff double, a walk, a single and a three-run double by Tiffani Upchurch.  

The Bulldogs return to action tomorrow, Tuesday, March 13 against Florida Southern in a doubleheader begining at 5:30 p.m.

Concordia drops two at Florida Southern, 5-1 & 3-1

13 MAR 2012

The spring break trip for the Concordia University, Nebraska, softball team hasn't gone according to plan.  The Bulldogs fell to 1-5 on the trip and 3-5 overall after suffering a sweep at the hands of Florida Southern, 5-1 and 3-1, on Tuesday, March 13. 

Florida Southern moved to 20-4 following the two victories on Tuesday. 

Game One: Florida Southern 5, Concordia 1

The Bulldogs jumped out in front in the top of the first inning as junior Natalie Svoboda (Lincoln, Neb.) blasted a triple to right-center.  Sophomore Shelby Morose (Claremore, Okla.) sent an RBI single into center field to give Concordia a 1-0 lead.  

Concordia, however, was unable to push across any additional runs in the first inning.  In addition, the Bulldogs were limited to just three hits the rest of the way.

Bulldog ace senior Nicole Sempek (Columbus, Neb.) stepped into the circle in the bottom of the first with the lead, but Florida Southern attacked quickly.  Unfortunately, the Moccasins scored three runs on a single, an RBI double and a two-run home run off the bat of Brittany Martin.

Sempek fell to 2-3 with the loss, allowing three runs on nine hits and one walk in six innings.  Florida Southern's Christine Clark (13-2) allowed one run on six hits for the victory.

Game Two: Florida Southern 3, Concordia 1

In the second contest, Florida Southern sent Clark to the hill for a second time and unfortunately for the Bulldogs she only got better allowing just three hits.

The Bulldogs countered with sophomore Amanda Beeson (Waverly, Neb.) in the circle.  Beeson delivered her second consecutive impressive outing.  Beeson kept the Moccasins at bay until the fifth inning, when a walk, an error and a two-run triple gave Florida Southern a 2-0 lead. 

Concordia answered in the top of the sixth as Svoboda ripped a one-out triple to right, then Morose brought Svoboda home with a fielder's choice.

Florida Southern added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth and went on for the 3-1 win. 

Beeson fell to 0-3 on the season with the loss, surrendering three runs on seven hits and two walks.  Clark, meanwhile, moved to 14-2 allowing one run on three hits.

Concordia will wrap up its trip to Florida with a matchup against Eckerd College at 4 p.m.

Bulldogs end Florida Trip by splitting with Eckerd

14 MAR 2012

The Concordia University, Nebraska, softball squad wrapped up its spring break trip to Florida by splitting a doubleheader with Eckerd College on Wednesday, March 14.  Concordia took the first game, 7-5, but fell 6-2 in the finale.

Following Wednesday’s action the Bulldogs are 4-6 on the season, while the Tritons moved to 9-21. 

Game One:  Concordia 7, Eckerd 5

Concordia took control of the game in the top of the fourth, plating four runs on five hits and an error.  Freshman Molly Madsen (Thornton, Colo.) got the Bulldogs going in the third, reaching first on an error.  Madsen went to second on a wild pitch, then senior Mikaela Klein (Grand Island, Neb.) followed with a single up the middle to give Concordia a 1-0 lead.  

One out later, the Bulldog's hit parade began to march.  Junior Natalie Svoboda (Lincoln, Neb.) (Lincoln, Neb.) punched a single up the middle, then sophomore Shelby Morose (Claremore, Okla.) laced an RBI double down the left field line to bring in Klein.  Junior Angela Harstad (Lewiston, Minn.) brought home Svoboda on a safety squeeze to make it 3-0.  Finally senior Alyssa Bauwens (Perryville, Mo.) singled home Morose with a line drive to right.

Eckerd chipped away with two runs in the fourth and the sixth, but the Bulldogs kept the lead by adding an unearned run in the top of the sixth.  

Leading 5-4 heading into the final frame, Concordia put the game away with two insurance runs, sophomore Amanda Baldwin (Wilber, Neb.) delivered the big blow with an RBI triple to right.

Senior Nicole Sempek (Columbus, Neb.) picked up the victory (4-1), allowing five runs on nine hits over seven innings.

Eckerd's Kaitlyn Dougherty suffered the loss, giving up four runs on five hits in three innings.

Game Two:  Eckerd 6, Concordia 2

A wild second inning that featured a combined seven runs told the story of game two.   The visiting Bulldogs scored on an RBI double from Madsen and an RBI ground out from junior Nicole Mapes (Greely, Colo.).

The Tritons answered back with five runs on four hits and an error in the bottom half of the frame.  Eckerd added an insurance run in the fifth to claim the game, 6-2.

Eckerd’s Whitney Bernier collected the win, scattering 10 hits and allowing just two runs in seven innings.

Concordia sophomore Amanda Beeson (Waverly, Neb.) suffered the loss (0-4), allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks in six innings. 

Concordia returns home to face Peru State in a doubleheader on Monday, March 19 at 4 p.m.

Concordia bounces back by sweeping Dordt

24 MAR 2012

The Concordia University, Nebraska, softball team rebounded from two losses on Friday, with back-to-back victories over Dordt College on Saturday, March 24.  

Concordia claimed a 2-0 in the opening game of the doubleheader, then completed the sweep with a 4-2 win.  Following the sweep, the Bulldogs are 6-8 this season and 2-2 in the Great Plains Athletic Conference.  Dordt fell to 7-13 overall and 0-2 in GPAC play. 

Game One: Concordia 2, Dordt 0

Senior Nicole Sempek (Columbus, Neb.) made certain the Bulldogs would return to the win column, recording nine strikeouts and limiting Dordt to just three hits in the complete game victory (5-3). The shutout was Sempek's third in 2012. 

Concordia got all the offense it needed in the third inning as freshman Regan Doiel (Millard, Neb.) and junior Natalie Svoboda (Lincoln, Neb.) notched back-to-back singles with one out.  The next batter, sophomore Shelby Morose (Claremore, Okla.) dropped a sacrifice bunt down.  An errant throw allowed both Doiel and Svoboda to score and sent Morose to second. 

Sempek made the two runs hold up, holding Dordt to just four base runners in the contest. 

Dordt's Kacy Oberfoell was the tough luck loser (3-6) allowing two unearned runs on six hits in seven innings. 

Game Two:  Concordia 4, Dordt 2

The finale Saturday afternoon saw Dordt jump out to a 2-0 lead with single runs in the second and fourth innings.  

In the top of the fifth sophomore Kelsey Timmerman (O'Neill, Neb.) started a three-run rally by reaching on an error.  With one out in the inning, Timmerman reached on an error by Dordt's third baseman, Haley Huisman.  Doiel followed with an infield single to put Bulldogs at first and second.  Svoboda then blasted a two-run double in left-center field to knot the game at 2-2. The hit parade continued as Morose singled to right, plating Svoboda.  

Doiel factored in the Bulldogs final run as well, leading off the seventh with a single.  Two outs later she scampered home on an RBI double off the bat of junior Angela Harstad (Lewiston, Minn.)

Concordia sophomore Amanda Beeson (Waverly, Neb.) picked up her first win (1-5) of the season, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk in seven innings. 

Dordt's Sidney Larsen took the loss (4-5), giving up four runs on 10 hits and a walk.  

The Bulldogs return to action on Tuesday, March 27 as Concordia hosts Doane College for a GPAC doubleheader beginning at 4 pm

Bulldogs stay perfect at home with sweep of Doane

27 MAR 2012

The Concordia University, Nebraska, softball team remained perfect in the confines of Plum Creek Park, sweeping Doane College on Tuesday, March 27.  The Bulldogs took game one, 3-2, in nine innings.  In the night cap, Concordia bested the Tigers, 7-3.

Following Tuesday's action, Concordia evened its overall record at 8-8 and moved to 4-2 in Great Plains Athletic Conference play.  Doane, meanwhile, fell to 8-14 overall and 0-2 in GPAC action. 

Game One:  Concordia 3, Doane 2 (9 innings)
Tied 2-2 with two outs in the ninth inning, junior Natalie Svoboda (Lincoln, Neb.) and sophomore Shelby Morose (Claremore, Okla.) imposed their will on the Doane Tigers.

After the first two Concordia hitters were retired in the ninth, Svoboda lifted a bloop single into right field.  The very next pitch, Svoboda swiped second to put herself in scoring position.  Down in the count 0-2, Morose followed her teammates lead by lifting a short single to right field. Svoboda raced around third and dove into home just inches ahead of the tag to secure a victory in the opening game.  

Setting the stage for Svoboda and Morose took a bit more time.  Concordia scratched the scoreboard first with a run in the second as freshman Molly Madsen (Thornton, Colo.) drew a leadoff walk.  Sophomore Amber Topil (Seward, Neb.) dropped a sacrifice bunt towards third, but an errant throw allowed Madsen to come all the way around the bases and sent Topil to third. 

Doane tied the game in the top of the third on a hit and an error, but Concordia struck right back in the bottom of the third on a walk to senior Alyssa Bauwens (Perryville, Mo.) and a two-out RBI double into right-center by sophomore Amanda Baldwin (Wilber, Neb.).

The game remained 2-1 until the top of the sixth when Doane knotted the game on three singles. 

Concordia senior Nicole Sempek (Columbus, Neb.) earned the victory (5-3) with a complete game.  She allowed two runs (one earned) on eight hits and two walks in nine innings. 

Doane's Megan Wingate suffered the loss (3-1) despite a solid effort in relief.  Wingate allowed one run on three hits in 3.2 innings.

Game Two:  Concordia 7, Doane 3

While the first game provided a dramatic ending, game two was over early.  Concordia plated seven runs in the first three innings to cruise to the 7-3 win. 

The Bulldogs' offense got started in the bottom of the second on Svoboda reached on a walk, went to second on a sacrifice by Morose, then scored on a RBI single by Bauwens.  

Doane pulled even with a single run in the top of the second, which seemed only to motivate Concordia.  The Bulldogs put up five runs on four hits, a walk and an error.  

Madsen got the Concordia rally started with a single up the middle.  After to second on a sacrifice by Topil, sophomore Amanda Beeson (Waverly, Neb.) reached on an error that sent Madsen to third.  Junior Nicole Mapes (Greeley, Colo.) plated Madsen via a single to right.  One out later, Morose delivered a two-run triple down the left field line to make it 4-1.  

Morose came in to score herself moments later on a wild pitch, but the Bulldogs weren't done.  Senior Mikaela Klein (Grand Island, Neb.) drew a two-out walk, then Bauwens blasted an RBI double up the middle.  

Concordia added another run in the third as Madsen doubled to left and came around on back-to-back ground outs.  

Beeson (2-5) earned the victory with seven innings of work.  She allowed three runs on eight hits and one walk, while notching five strikeouts.  

Doane starter, Jenna Alswager, fell to 1-1 on the year.  She surrendered five runs on four hits and a walk in 1.1 innings. 

The Bulldogs are back in action tomorrow, Wednesday, March 28 as Concordia hosts Central Christian College for a doubleheader beginning at 5 p.m.

Concordia extends winning streak to six with sweep of Central Christian

28 MAR 2012

The Concordia University, Nebraska, softball team extended its season-high winning streak to six games with a sweep of Central Christian College on Wednesday, March 28.  The Bulldogs took the first game 8-3, then rallied for a 12-4 (6) win the second game. 

Following Wednesday's doubleheader, Concordia is 10-8 on the year.  Central Christian, meanwhile, fell to 0-26. 

Game One:  Concordia 8, Central Christian 3

Despite four fielding errors, the Bulldogs had a rather easy time in the first game with the Central Christian Tigers.  Down 1-0 entering the bottom of the second, the Bulldogs plated two runs on two hits.  

Sophomore Shelby Morose (Claremore, Okla.) started the rally with a one-out single to left.  Morose stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch, then sophomore Natalie Jeppesen (Pleasant Dale, Neb.) followed with a walk.   Senior Alyssa Bauwens (Perryville, Mo.) drive in Morose on a sacrifice fly that was dropped, then freshman Molly Madsen (Thornton, Colo.) drove a single through the left side to give the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead. 

After Central Christian tied the game with a run in the top of the second, Jeppesen blasted a two-run double into right field to put Concordia in front for good.  

The Bulldogs went on to claim the game, 8-3.  In addition to Morose and Jeppesen, junior Nicole Mapes (Greeley, Colo.) had a big game at the plate as she was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI. 

Sophomore Amanda Beeson (Waverly, Neb.) earned her third win of the season (3-5) with four innings of scoreless relief, allowing just one hit. 

The Tigers' Desiree Yandel fell to 0-7 on the season with the loss, allowing eight runs on seven hits and two walks in four innings. 

Game Two:  Concordia 12, Central Christian 4 (six innings)

Giving significant time to reserve players, the Bulldogs found themselves trailing Central Christian 4-2 entering the bottom of the fifth inning.  

The Concordia offense turned up the pressure in the fifth, forcing three Tiger errors that led to two Bulldog runs.  

Tied 4-4 in the bottom of the sixth, Concordia ended the game with eight runs on six hits and an error without giving up an out in the frame.  Junior Natalie Svoboda (Lincoln, Neb.) came on in the fifth inning to ignite her team as she finished the game 1-for-2 with two RBI and two runs scored. 

Svoboda delivered a two-run single in the sixth inning, while Jeppesen smacked a two-run double and Madsen capped the game with a two-run single up the middle. 

Jeppesen finished game two, 2-for-3 with four RBI. 

Senior Nicole Sempek (Columbus, Neb.) moved to 7-3 on the season with the win.  She allowed four runs on eight hits in six innings for her ninth complete game of the year. 

Central Christian's Mallory Smith took the loss (0-8) as she allowed nine runs on nine hits and three walks in five innings. 

Concordia returns to action on Friday, March 30 as the Bulldogs travel to Lindsborg, Kan. for a doubleheader with Bethany College beginning at 5 p.m. 

Concordia enters GPAC Tournament as the third seed

Bulldogs will face Dordt in the opening round

1 MAY 2012

The Concordia University, Nebraska, softball team closed the regular season 19-17 on the season and finished Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) play with a 13-7 record.  The 13-7 mark earned Concordia the No. 3 seed.

Concordia will face the No. 6 seeded Dordt College Defenders who finished the season with an overall record of 20-22 and a GPAC mark of 10-10. 

The Bulldogs and Defenders met on March 24 in a doubleheader, swept by Concordia.  The Bulldogs defeated Dordt 2-0 in the first game and 4-2 in game two on March 24.  

Concordia and Dordt will meet at 2 p.m. in Hastings, Neb. on Field 3.  The Bulldogs will also play again at 4 p.m. against an opponent to be determined based on the outcome of the opening games.  

GPAC Softball Tournament
Hastings, Nebraska (Hosted by Hastings College)
Smith Complex

Thursday, May 3, 2012
Records (Overall, GPAC)
Game 1:  #1 Northwestern (32-11, 16-2) vs. #8 Hastings (23-26, 10-10), 2:00pm (Field 1)
Game 2:  #4 Morningside (24-18, 11-9) vs. #5 Dakota Wesleyan (17-28, 10-10), 2:00pm (Field 4)
Game 3:  #3 Concordia (19-17, 13-7) vs. #6 Dordt (20-22, 10-10), 2:00pm (Field 3)
Game 4:  #2 Doane (23-20, 13-5) vs. #7 Midland (22-30, 10-10), 2:00pm (Field 2)
Game 5:  Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 4:00pm (Field 4)
Game 6:  Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, 4:00pm (Field 3)
Game 7:  Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 4:00pm (Field 1)
Game 8:  Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 4:00pm (Field 2)

Friday, May 4, 2012
Game 9:  Winner Game 5 vs. Loser Game 8, NOON (Field 1)
Game 10:  Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 7, NOON (Field 4)
Game 11:  Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8, 2:00 pm (Field 1)
Game 12:  Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 10, 2:00 pm (Field 4)
Game 13:  Winner Game 12 vs. Loser Game 11, 6:00 pm (Field 1)

Saturday, May 5, 2012
Game 14:  Winner Game 11 vs. Winner Game 13, NOON (Field 1)
Game 15:  If-needed Game, 2:00pm (Field 1)

Concordia blasts past Dordt, 8-3, in opening round of GPAC Tournament

Bulldogs to face No.2 seed, Doane, at 4 p.m.

3 MAY 2012

Behind three home runs, the Concordia University, Nebraska, softball team defeated Dordt College 8-3 in the opening round of the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Tournament on Thursday, May 3. 

The third seeded Bulldogs moved to 20-17 on the season with the win, while No. 6 seed, Dordt fell to 20-23.  Concordia advanced to the winner’s bracket of the GPAC Tournament and will face the second seeded Doane Tigers at 4 p.m.  Doane defeated Midland, 11-2, in their opening round contest.

Concordia flexed their muscles in the bottom of the second, scoring three runs on two home runs and a walk. Senior Alyssa Bauwens (Perryville, Mo.) jumped all over the first pitch in the home half of the second inning, launching her home run of the season over the left field fence to get the Bulldogs on the board. Two batters later, junior Nicole Mapes (Greeley, Colo.) showed she took copious notes on Bauwens’ effort, blasting the first pitch she saw over the center field fence.  Freshman Molly Madsen (Thornton, Colo.) was along for the ride on Mapes’ blast after drawing a walk to give the Bulldogs a 3-0 lead.  Bauwens’ blast was her team leading fifth of the year, while Mapes connected for her first home run of the season.

Staked to a three run lead, senior Nicole Sempek (Columbus, Neb.) settled into a groove in the third.  After working out of jams in each of the first two innings, Sempek struck out the first two batters in the third.  The final out of the third created some excitement as freshman Regan Doiel (Millard, Neb.) went toppling over the center field fence to snag a line drive off the bat of Ashton Beaird.

The ball continued to fly out of the park as Dordt’s Kacy Oberfoell connected for a solo blast to open the fourth to cut Concordia’s lead to 3-1. 

Senior Mikaela Klein (Grand Island, Neb.) responded for the Bulldogs in the bottom half of the fourth with a three run blast.  Bauwens opened the fourth with a walk, then Madsen reached on an error to put runners on the corners.  Klein strode to the plate and tattooed the first pitch of her at-bat over the left field wall to make it 6-1.  It was Klein’s first home run of the season. 

Dordt clawed back to 6-3 with two runs in the fifth on a solo home run by Haley Huisman and a sacrifice fly.  Leading 6-2 with only one out and the bases loaded, Sempek induced a weak fly out to right by Oberfoel and a line out to center by Megan Huizenga to preserve the 6-3 edge. 

The Bulldogs added two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth without the benefit of a hit. 

Sempek moved to 14-7 after earning the victory, she allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits and two walks. The loss dropped Oberfoel to 10-10 as she allowed six runs (five earned) on three hits and two walks. 

Bulldogs suffer heart-breaking 6-5 loss to Doane in round two of GPAC Tournament

Concordia will face Hastings in an elimination game at noon on Friday, May 4

3 MAY 2012

Despite coming back from a 4-1 deficit to take the lead, the Concordia University, Nebraska, softball team suffered a 6-5 loss to Doane College in the second round of the Great Plains Athletic Conference Tournament on Thursday, May 3. 

The Bulldogs fell to 20-18 with the loss, while Doane moved to 25-20.

The loss bumped Concordia into the elimination bracket.  The Bulldogs will face the No. 8 seed, Hastings (24-27) at 12 p.m. on Friday, May 4.  Hastings split two games on Thursday, falling to top-seeded Northwestern 8-3, then defeating Dakota Wesleyan 5-3.

Concordia will need to win three consecutive elimination games on Friday to advance to the championship on Saturday, May 5

Concordia got on the board first as sophomore Amanda Beeson  (Waverly, Neb.) helped her own cause in the top of the third, smacking a one-out double down the left field line.  Moments later, sophomore Amber Topil (Seward, Neb.) sent Beeson to third on a short single to left.  Beeson bluffed towards the plate to draw a throw, allowing Topil to move to second.  The next Concordia batter, freshman Regan Doiel (Millard, Neb.) blooped an RBI single to left, giving the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead.

The Doane offense, however, came alive in the bottom of the fourth connecting on two home runs.  Brooke Sampson fouled off two full count pitches then launched the third one over the left field fence, giving Doane a 2-1 lead.  One out later, Alyssa Maraia ripped a shot to right field to extend the Tigers’ lead to 3-1.  Doane added an unearned run in the fifth to set the stage for the Bulldogs’ charge.

Trailing 4-1 entering the top of the sixth inning Concordia exploded for four runs, sending nine batters to the plate. Sophomore Shelby Morose (Claremore, Okla.) got her teams' juices flowing as she opened the sixth with a solo home run to left-center.  It was Morose's first round tripper of the year.  One out later, senior Alyssa Bauwens (Perryville, Mo.) was hit by a pitch. Freshman Molly Madsen (Thornton, Colo.) saw an opportunity and snatched it, lacing the first pitch she saw over the left field fence to tie the game at 4-4.  It was Madsen's first home run as a Bulldog.

Concordia didn't stop there, senior Mikaela Klein (Grand Island, Neb.) drew a walk, then junior Nicole Mapes  (Greeley, Colo.) reached on an error, sending Klein to third.  Beeson came through once more, smacking the first pitch of her at-bat through the right side to give Concordia a 5-4 lead. 

Unfortunately Doane answered in the half of the sixth.  After the first two Tigers went down, Doane got back-to-back singles from the bottom of their order to put runners at first and second.  Head coach Frank Greene turned to senior Nicole Sempek (Columbus, Neb.) to get the final out of the inning.  Sempek, however, was greeted by an RBI double from Nicole Diaz and an RBI single by Andrea Gonzales to surrender the lead.

Beeson, the Concordia starter, fell to 6-11 with the loss.  She allowed six runs (five earned) on eight hits in 5.2 innings. Doane's Jenna Alswager got the win (3-1) for the Tigers in relief, holding Concordia to just one hit in the final 1.2 innings. 

Despite the loss, the Bulldogs are likely encouraged by their offensive production.  In the 35-game regular season, Concordia hit six home runs.  In two games on Thursday at the GPAC Tournament, the Bulldogs had a combined five dingers.  

Concordia to broadcast GPAC Softball games on Friday

3 MAY 2012

The Concordia University, Nebraska, athletic department has added audio streamming for GPAC softball contests on Friday, May 4.  Concordia continues play in the GPAC Tournament with an elimination game against Hastings College at 12 p.m. 

Bulldogs' 2012 season ends with a 3-0 loss to Hastings at GPAC Tournament

4 MAY 2012

The Concordia University, Nebraska, softball team suffered a 3-0 loss to Hastings College in an elimination game at the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Tournament in Hastings, Neb. on Friday, May 4.  

With the loss, Concordia concluded its 2012 season with a 20-19 record.  Hastings, meanwhile, moved to 25-27 overall and we face Midland University in a 2 p.m. contest.  Midland eliminated the top seeded Northwestern Red Raiders by the score of 1-0.

Friday's game appeared to get off to a strong start for Concordia.  After seeing the bases loaded with no outs via two errors, Concordia starter senior Nicole Sempek (Columbus, Neb.) miraculously worked out of the jam without allowing a run.  Sempek recorded the first two outs on strikes, setting down Anna Eberly and Mallory Suhr.  Facing the leadoff hitter, Sempek received a helping hand from junior Nicole Mapes as she ending the inning with a sliding catch of a sinking line drive in left field.

The Bulldogs, though, were unable to capitalize on the momentum gathered on defense.   Concordia freshman Molly Madsen (Thornton, Colo.) delivered the Bulldogs first hit, a one-out single to right-center in the second.  Unfortunately Madsen was stranded at second 

The game remained scoreless until the top of the fourth when Hastings strung together three consecutive two-out singles to claim a 1-0 edge. 

The Broncos added two insurance runs in the fifth, giving starter MacKenzie Welchert all the offense she would need.  Welchert held the Bulldogs offense to just three hits over seven innings to move to 16-10 on the year. 

Sempek concluded her Concordia career with a 14-8 mark this season and a career record of 69-30.  Friday Sempek allowed three runs on 12 hits over seven innings. 

Concordia finished with four hits as a team, led by a 2-for-3 day from Madsen. 

Five Bulldogs named to softball All-GPAC teams

Sempek leads charge with All-GPAC First Team honor

8 MAY 2012

Seniors Nicole Sempek (Columbus, Neb.), Alyssa Bauwens (Perryville, Mo.), junior Natalie Svoboda (Lincoln, Neb.), sophomore Shelby Morose (Claremore, Okla.) and freshman Molly Madsen (Thornton, Colo.) were named to the softball All-GPAC teams on Tuesday, May 8.  

Sempek received the highest honor, earning a spot on the All-GPAC First Team.  Madsen and Svoboda earned All-GPAC Second Team recognition, while Bauwens and Morose earned All-GPAC Honorable Mention. 

Sempek led Concordia with a 14-8 record this season in 24 appearances.  She tossed 150 innings this season, recording a complete game in each of her 21 starts.  Sempek notched 121 strikeouts during the year and finished with a team-leading 2.33 ERA.  Her strikeout-to-walk ratio was a startling 121-to-17 just over 7-to-1.

The Bulldogs' starting third baseman, Madsen bust onto the scene in 2012 with a .365 batting average and a team leading 18 RBI.  She finished the season second on the team with 38 hits and posted a solid .927 fielding percentage.

Despite playing only 33 games due to a late season injury, Svoboda led Concordia with 39 hits in 2012.  The starting center fielder tied for the team lead with three triples and closed out the year with a .348 average.  

Bauwens came on strong in the final month of the season as she led raised her average from .237 on March 27 to finish the year with a .292 mark.  Bauwens led the Bulldogs with five home runs, finished second for Concordia with 17 RBI and posted an impressive .522 slugging percentage. She also was tied for second on the team with 10 walks and led Concordia with nine doubles in 2012. 

Morose played in all 39 games for the Bulldogs this season, primarily at second base.  She finished the year with a .273 batting average, posting 33 hits and was third on the team with 15 RBI.  Morose led the Concordia regulars with a .978 fielding percentage, committing just three errors in 131 chances.  

Five Softball Players named 2012 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar Athletes

22 MAY 2012

Five members of the Concordia University, Nebraska, softball program showed excellence in the classroom earning a spot on the 2012 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete list, announced on Tuesday, May 22.

In order to be nominated by an institution's head coach, a student-athlete must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and must have achieved a junior academic status to qualify for this honor.

Concordia Softball Representatives
Seniors
Mikaela Klein (Grand Island, Neb.)
Nicole Sempek (Columbus, Neb.)

Juniors
Angela Harstad (Lewiston, Minn)
Sam LaFontaine (Hermantown, Minn.)
Nicole Mapes  (Greeley, Colo.)