2020 Softball Schedule/Results

12-2 overall | 0-0 GPAC | Season Stats | Roster

*Remainder of season canceled on March 16 due to coronavirus pandemic.

Date Opponent Location Result Record
Feb. 29 Kansas Wesleyan University Salina, Kan. W, 12-4 1-0
Feb. 29 Kansas Wesleyan University Salina, Kan. W, 11-2 2-0
March 1 Bethany College Lindsborg, Kan. W, 7-0 3-0
March 1 Bethany College Lindsborg, Kan. L, 4-8 3-1
March 4 York College York, Neb. W, 6-3 4-1
March 4 York College York, Neb. W, 9-4 5-1
  Spring Break Trip: March 8-9, 11-12      
March 8 Lawrence Tech University (Mich.) Kissimmee, Fla. W, 7-5 6-1
March 8 Florida National University Kissimmee, Fla. W, 4-0 7-1
March 9 Carlow University (Penn.) Kissimmee, Fla. W, 8-0 (5 inn.) 8-1
March 9 Hannibal LaGrange University (Mo.) Kissimmee, Fla. W, 9-3 9-1
March 11 University of Michigan-Dearborn Kissimmee, Fla. W, 8-3 10-1
March 11 Fisher College (Mass.) Kissimmee, Fla. W, 23-2 (5 inn.) 11-1
March 12 (22) Saint Xavier University (Ill.) Kissimmee, Fla. L, 1-3 11-2
March 12 St. Ambrose University (Iowa) Kissimmee, Fla. W, 5-4 12-2
March 14 Oklahoma City University (DH) Oklahoma City, Okla. CANCELED  
March 18 *Morningside College (DH) Seward, Neb. CANCELED  
March 21 *Midland University (DH) Seward, Neb. CANCELED  
March 23 Nebraska Wesleyan University (DH) Lincoln, Neb. CANCELED  
March 24 *Doane University (DH) Crete, Neb. CANCELED  
March 28 *Northwestern College (DH) Seward, Neb. CANCELED  
April 3 *University of Jamestown (DH) Jamestown, N.D. CANCELED  
April 4 *Dakota Wesleyan University (DH) Mitchell, S.D. CANCELED  
April 13 *Hastings College (DH) Seward, Neb. CANCELED  
April 17 *Briar Cliff University (DH) Seward, Neb. CANCELED  
April 18 *Mount Marty College (DH) Seward, Neb. CANCELED  
April 22 *College of Saint Mary (DH) Omaha, Neb. CANCELED  
April 25 *Dordt College (DH) Sioux Center, Iowa CANCELED  
  GPAC Softball Tournament: April 29-30      
April 29 TBA TBA CANCELED  
April 30 TBA TBA CANCELED  
May 2 GPAC Softball Championship Series TBA CANCELED  
May 11-13 NAIA National Championship Opening Round TBA CANCELED  
May 21-27 NAIA Softball World Series Columbus, Ga. CANCELED  

2020 Roster

No. Name Pos. Ht. Yr. B/T Hometown Previous School
1 Emily Sherstone OF 5-3 Sr. R/R British Columbia, Canada Northeast Community College
2 Kylee Nixon INF/C 5-2 So. R/R York, Neb. York HS
4 Bailee Muxlow-Volk INF 5-7 Sr. L/L British Columbia, Canada Garden City CC
5 Sydney Brown INF 5-8 Sr. R/R Raymond, Neb. Raymond Central HS
7 Mackinsey Schmidt OF 5-4 Jr. R/R Crete, Neb. Crete HS
8 Creighton Taylor OF 5-0 Fr. R/R Gretna, Neb. Gretna HS
9 Dalaney Nance INF/P 5-8 Sr. R/R Gilbert, Ariz. Williams Field HS
10 Sydni Schernikau 1B 5-8 Fr. R/R Waverly, Neb. Waverly HS
11 Taylor Zehendner INF 5-5 So. R/R Pleasanton, Neb. Heathland Lutheran
12 Savannah Robertson INF 5-5 Sr. R/L Columbus, Neb. Northeast Community College
13 Megan Klenke INF 5-11 Jr. R/R Friend, Neb. Friend HS
14 Mara Hjermstad C 5-4 Fr. R/R Gretna, Neb. Gretna HS
16 Valerie Gerlach C 5-7 Fr. R/R Waverly, Neb. Waverly HS
17 Allysia Thayer C 5-2 Jr. R/R Etiwanda, Calif. Etiwanda HS
18 Taylor Dougherty P 5-10 Fr. L/L Fremont, Neb. Fremont HS
19 Jordan Metzger OF 5-6 Jr. R/R Grand Island, Neb. Aurora HS
20 Tori Ritzma OF 5-2 Fr. R/R Concordia, Mo. Saint Paul Lutheran HS
21 Zoe Flores P 5-5 Fr. L/L Port Lavaca, Texas Calhoun HS
23 Hhano Haro INF 5-4 Jr. R/R Garden Grove, Calif. Pacifica HS
24 Camry Moore INF/P 5-11 So. R/R Crete, Neb. Crete HS
25 Grace Bernhardt P 5-4 Jr. R/R St. Charles, Mo. Lutheran HS
26 Caitlyn McGarvie OF 5-8 Fr. R/R Valparaiso, Neb. Lincoln North Star HS
29 Ashley Evans P 5-3 Fr. R/R Westminster, Colo. Faith Christian Academy
30 Sydni Vanicek INF 5-4 Fr. R/R Wahoo, Neb. Wahoo HS
31 Shelby Ziegler OF 5-10 Fr. R/R Waco, Neb. Centennial Public HS
32 Lauren Peterson INF 5-4 Fr. R/R Papillion, Neb. Papillion LaVista South HS
33 Tori Homolka INF 5-4 Jr. R/R Swanton, Neb. Wilber-Clatonia HS
34 Jenessa Jarvis OF 5-5 Jr. R/R Vail, Ariz. Cienega HS
35 Regan Karel OF 5-9 So. R/R Seward, Neb. Seward HS / U. of South Dakota
36 Dawn Pettyjohn UTIL 5-4 So. R/R Green Bay, Wisc. Mesquite HS
37 Michaela Regier INF 5-3 Jr. R/R Newton, Kan. Newton HS
39 Kaetlyn Todd C 5-10 So. R/R Gering, Neb. Gering HS
40 Jadyn Lindgren OF 5-3 Jr. R/R Hickman, Neb. Norris HS

STAFF

Shawn Semler, Head Coach (2nd Year)

Liz Barkel, Graduate Assistant Coach

Breena Martinez, Graduate Assistant Coach

Bulldogs end successful spring break with win

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The Concordia University softball team enjoyed some fun in the sun over spring break in Kissimmee, Fla., – and a lot of winning. The Bulldogs did finally drop a game in Florida with a 3-1 loss to 22nd-ranked Saint Xavier University (Ill.), but it rebounded on Thursday (March 12) with a 5-4 victory over St. Ambrose University (Iowa) to wrap up an eight-game road trip.

Head coach Shawn Semler’s squad was originally scheduled to play a doubleheader on Saturday at fifth-ranked Oklahoma City University, but those games have been canceled. OCU’s conference, the Sooner Athletic Conference, has suspended all athletic activities. That means Concordia will return to Nebraska with a 12-2 overall record.

“It was a 0-0 game into the fifth between two really good teams,” Semler said of the matchup with Saint Xavier. “Both pitchers were dealing incredibly well. Kylee (Nixon) hits that (go-ahead) homer and everyone just erupts. Unfortunately we had just that one pitch that was left out over the plate, but it was a great college softball game.”

The pitcher’s duel was a battle between Camry Moore and Saint Xavier’s Allison Golic. It was rather impressive how Golic mowed down the Bulldogs, allowing them just two hits while striking out 10 in a seven-inning complete game. Nixon’s blast in the top of the fifth gave Concordia a 1-0 lead that it held until Taylor Sterkowitz’s three-run bomb in the bottom of the sixth.

The competitor in Moore didn’t want that feeling linger into the final game in Kissimmee. More drilled a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth versus St. Ambrose to turn a one-run deficit into a one-run advantage. She relieved Zoe Flores in the circle and moved her pitching record to 7-1. Moore allowed three earned runs over 8.1 innings of work on Thursday.

Hhana Haro managed one hit in both games to push her hitting streak to begin the season to 12. Also in the victory over St. Ambrose, Regan Karel produced a two-run homer and Caitlyn McGarvie went 3-for-3 with a double, a run and an RBI. In addition, Tori Homolka and Sydni Schernikau claimed two hits apiece.

At least so far, Concordia seems to be validating the idea that it could be a GPAC championship contender this spring.

Said Semler, “It’s been fun to watch. It’s a great atmosphere to be in. This is a good group and a very talented team. I’ve been really impressed. It’s a team that doesn’t get too high or too low and I think that was why we were able to come from behind several times during the trip.”

The coronavirus pandemic has put many sporting events in jeopardy in recent days. With the doubleheader on Saturday wiped out, the next action on the schedule is slated for March 18 when Morningside is scheduled to be in Seward for a 5 p.m. CT twin bill. Should schedule changes be made, they will be announced via our website and social media.

Bulldogs slug their way to two more wins

KISSIMMEE, Fla. –  Contributions came from up and down the roster as the feel good vibes continued for the Concordia University softball team during its spring break stay in Kissimmee, Fla. The Bulldogs pounded out a combined 33 hits and paraded around the bases for 31 total runs in wins over the University of Michigan-Dearborn and Fisher College (Mass.) on Wednesday (March 11). Concordia triumphed by scores of 8-3 and 23-2 (five innings).

Head coach Shawn Semler’s squad has rolled to eight-straight victories, including each of the last six in Florida. The Bulldogs have moved to 11-1 overall.

“We saw this team (Fisher) earlier down here and we thought it would give us a great chance to get a lot of kids some opportunities,” Semler said. “And it wasn’t just for one at bat, they got to play for a whole game. It was good for Shelby Ziegler. She had a really nice game and certainly improved the way we think of her.”

Concordia actually had to come from behind in Wednesday’s first contest, which put it up against Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference member Michigan-Dearborn. Down 3-1 after three innings, the Bulldogs took the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth. Savannah Robertson knotted the score, 3-3, with a sacrifice fly and Camry Moore singled in the go-ahead run. Concordia then broke the game open with a four-run sixth highlighted by Robertson’s two-run triple.

Moore was the biggest star versus UMD. In the circle, the Crete High School product allowed only one earned run (no walks) in a seven-inning complete game. At the plate, she went 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs. Red hot Hhana Haro also went 3-for-3 while burning Wolverine pitching. Haro also got the offense rolling in the second game by drilling a three-run shot.

Semler is feeling better and better about the lineup he writes up each time out. Said Semler, “Our D hasn’t helped us at times. We’ve cost ourselves in certain situations, but our lineup is making up for it. You have to get through our lineup three times and that’s really hard to do. They put us in position to score a lot of runs. It’s hard to stop those kids. When we get behind it’s just like, we’ve got this.”

Haro’s aforementioned homer came during a 14-run explosion of a first inning that shell-shocked Fisher. The Bulldogs brought 20 hitters to the plate in the frame and collected 12 hits while taking advantage of three errors. A whopping eight Concordia players notched two or more hits in the rout. Ziegler, who started in center field, went 4-for-5 with three runs and two RBIs. Creighton Taylor went 3-for-4 with three runs and four RBIs while Kaetlyn Todd chipped in three hits and drove in two runs.

In the 23-run outbreak, exactly two hits were collected by Sydney Brown, Ashley Evans, Jordan Metzger, Moore and Kylee Nixon. Ten Bulldogs produced at least one RBI. Dalaney Nance pitched three innings and earned the win.

Through 12 games, Concordia is averaging 9.0 runs per game. Haro is batting an other-worldly .647 (22-for-34) in continuing to do Hhana Haro things. Moore is crushing it too. She’s batting .474 with three homers and 18 RBIs while slugging .947.

The stay in Florida is nearing an end. The Bulldogs will wrap up play in Kissimmee on Thursday by playing against Saint Xavier University (Ill.) at 9:15 a.m. CT / 10:15 a.m. ET and St. Ambrose University (Iowa) at 11:30 a.m. CT / 12:30 p.m. ET.

Haro continues hot streak, Bulldogs continue win streak

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – On day two in Kissimmee, Fla., the Concordia University softball team racked up a combined 17 runs on 20 hits while triumphing twice to move its win streak to six. In Monday (March 9) action at Fortune Road Athletic Complex, the Bulldogs defeated NAIA foes in Carlow University (Penn.), 8-0 (five innings), and Hannibal LaGrange University (Mo.), 9-3. Hhana Haro continued her hot streak with five hits, including a home run.

Head coach Shawn Semler’s squad has moved to 9-1 on the season. Concordia also won two games in Kissimmee on Sunday.

“It was a great day,” Semler said. “We are still trying to work on defense and shoring up little things. We are starting to fill in some of the lineup pieces we think will be good for us starting conference play, but we’re still searching for a couple of starting spots. Hopefully the rest of the trip gives us some clarity.”

Already a two-time first team All-GPAC selection, Haro is batting a cool .600 (18-for-30) on the young season after another bid day on Monday. She helped set the tone by delivering an RBI double as part of four-run first inning versus Carlow. Haro also singled in a run in the second and doubled in another in the fourth. Some sloppy defensive play on Carlow’s part also factored into the run scoring.

In the circle, freshman Zoe Flores (3-1) produced the best outing of her young career. She surrendered just one hit in a five-inning, run-rule shortened shutout masterpiece. The Port LaVaca, Texas, native also struck out eight batters and allowed two walks. She retired the final 12 hitters she faced.

The Bulldogs overcame a 3-0 deficit to win over Hannibal LaGrange. Haro got Concordia on the board with a solo blast in the third. The big explosion came an inning later when the Bulldogs pushed across six runs. The outburst was aided by run-scoring hits from Regan Karel (single), Dalaney Nance (single), MacKinsey Schmidt (single) and Camry Moore (double). Kylee Nixon added an insurance run in the sixth with a sac fly. Nixon and Tori Homolka contributed two hits apiece in the win.

Moore worked the first four innings versus Hannibal LaGrange and moved her record to 5-0. She allowed only one earned run in four innings. Nance followed her by getting the final nine outs and picked up the save. A Gilbert, Ariz., native, Nance has been added to the pitching mix to provide more depth.

Added Semler, “Hhana continues to hit at an unbelievable pace and the middle of our lineup is strong. Flores had a good outing and Camry settled in after a shaky defensive start behind her. Dalaney keeps getting some innings in the circle and improves so much each time out so we are excited about the depth she adds to our pitching.”

Concordia will have a day off on Tuesday before returning to action in Kissimmee on Wednesday for games against the University of Michigan-Dearborn at 9:15 a.m. CT / 10:15 a.m. ET and Fisher College (Mass.) at 2:30 p.m. CT / 3:30 p.m. ET. Thursday will mark the final day of softball in Florida.

Bulldogs homer three times, begin Florida trip with two wins

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – For the first time since 2012, the Concordia University softball program has made The Sunshine State its spring break destination. Despite a slow start on Sunday (March 8), the Bulldogs regrouped and defeated Lawrence Technological University (Mich.), 7-5, and Florida National University, 4-0. All games over spring break will take place at Fortune Road Athletic Complex in Kissimmee, Fla.

Head coach Shawn Semler’s squad has jumped out to a 7-1 while also playing within the states of Kansas and Nebraska as part of the nonconference slate.

“Getting down 5-0 in the first game was not how we drew it up,” Semler said. “We talked about just trying to get one run. We were able to string some hits together and broke it open. We just need to shore up some things defensively. They hit the ball hard in the first inning and put some pressure on us. (Sydni) Schernikau’s home run gave us a big boost. It’s a tough lineup to get through.”

“In that second game we didn’t know what to expect. Cam (Moore) shut them down and threw really well. Florida National has a pretty good team with a lot of transfers.”

Moore and MacKinsey Schmidt also homered on Sunday. The spark against Lawrence Tech came in the bottom of the fourth when Moore led off a walk. She scored on a Tori Homolka double. Caitlyn McGarvie also added an RBI single in the three-run frame. Concordia then took the lead in the bottom of the fifth, which was jumpstarted by Schernikau’s leadoff homer. Two batters later, Moore drilled a two-run blast to put the Bulldogs up for good.

Moore’s four-hit shutout in the second game ensured that Concordia would not need a comeback. She struck out six and walked only one batter in the seven-inning complete game. Schmidt delivered a solo homer and was one of four Bulldogs with multiple hits in the win over Florida National. Others with two or more hits included Hhana Haro (3-for-4), Jenessa Jarvis (2-for-3, run, RBI) and Moore (2-for-4).

Three different Concordia pitchers worked the opener of the Florida trip. Zoe Flores threw four innings and allowed just one earned run. Dalaney Nance and Moore combined to work three scoreless frames to complete the victory.

Action will continue on Monday with two more games in Kissimmee. The Bulldogs will take on Carlow University (Penn.) at 12:45 p.m. CT / 1:45 p.m. ET and Hannibal LaGrange University (Mo.) at 2:45 p.m. CT / 3:45 p.m. ET.

Concordia takes two from York

YORK, Neb. – In a doubleheader recently added to the schedule, the Concordia University softball team took care of business on Wednesday (March 4) while up against its neighbors to the west. The Bulldogs recorded a combined 22 hits while taking a pair from York College at the York Ballpark Complex. Hhana Haro totaled five hits on the day and MacKinsey Schmidt broke out as Concordia won by scores of 6-3 and 9-4.

Head coach Shawn Semler’s squad began the 2020 season this past weekend with three victories in Kansas. The Bulldogs are now 5-1 this season.

“MacKinsey hit the ball really well tonight with three triples and all were big for us,” Semler said. “Camry (Moore), Hhana and Tori (Homolka) continued to hit the ball hard. It got really cold with the high winds once the sun went down and it was tough playing conditions. It led to a few errors but for the most part, our defense played well. Getting to see a lot of different players will pay off once conference season starts.”

Concordia has the potential for plenty of firepower offensively. Despite outhitting the Panthers (3-9) significantly, the Bulldogs found themselves in a battle in game one. They broke a 3-3 tie in the top of the seventh when Schmidt led off with a three-bagger. Run scoring singles in the frame were delivered by Moore, Kylee Nixon and Dalaney Nance. The three-run cushion was enough for Moore, who threw all seven innings of the opener. She allowed just two earned runs on four hits and one walk.

A York High School product, Nixon pounded out three more hits and scored a run in game two. Concordia broke the contest open with a four-run sixth inning. Schmidt smacked a two-run triple as the Bulldogs built a five-run lead. Schmidt drove in three runs in game two. In that same game, Haro collected two hits, including a double, and knocked in two runs. Moore got the final eight outs in the circle.

Zoe Flores got the start in the circle in game two and fired four innings. Both teams used three different pitchers throughout the course of the doubleheader. York had not played since Feb. 22 when it was swept in a twin bill at Mount Marty.

Next up is the spring break trip to Kissimmee, Fla. The action will get started in The Sunshine State on Sunday with games against Lawrence Tech (Mich.) at 12:15 p.m. CT and versus Florida National University at 2:30 p.m. CT.

Moore stars in game one, Bulldogs split at Bethany

LINDSBORG, Kan. – The opening weekend of the 2020 season continued on Sunday (March 1) as the Concordia University softball team made its way to Swedes Softball Field in Lindsborg, Kan. In game one of the doubleheader, sophomore Camry Moore tossed a two-hit shutout and homered as part of a 7-0 victory over host Bethany College. The Swedes then responded by defeating the Bulldogs, 8-4, in game two.

Head coach Shawn Semler’s squad began the new campaign on Saturday by taking two games from Kansas Wesleyan University. Concordia is coming off a 2019 season in which it went 28-12 overall.

“It went well,” Semler said of the weekend as a whole. “We wanted to see how our newcomers would do and we were able to see most everyone in situations that helped us as we start to figure out how we want to set up our batting order, who can handle coming off the bench and defensively where our outfielders work best. Now we have this week to fix some things.”

The day got started in impressive fashion when the Bulldogs struck for five runs in the top of the first inning of game one. After Kylee Nixon doubled, Moore drilled a two-run shot to center field. Tori Homolka (RBI triple) and Dalaney Nance (RBI single) also delivered run-scoring hits in the frame. Concordia added some insurance in the seventh with the help of Nixon’s RBI sacrifice bunt and an error.

The seven runs were plenty enough for Moore, who surrendered only two singles and two walks in a masterful seven-inning complete game. The Crete native also notched four strikeouts while celebrating her birthday. Moore also entered in relief in game two and fired four innings after Zoe Flores made the start in the circle.

Two-time first team All-GPAC slugger Hhana Haro went 2-for-4 in both ends of the doubleheader. Freshman Sydni Schernikau led off in game two and notched a pair of hits and an RBI. In the loss, the Bulldogs fought back from a 5-1 deficit after an inning and trailed 6-4 in the middle of the sixth. The Swedes (9-8) tacked on two runs in the bottom half to provide the final margin.

The major blast of game two was supplied by Bethany’s Tannah Colson. She belted a three-run homer as part of the five-run Swede first inning. In addition, the wind played a role in some defensive miscues that aided in the home team building the early lead. Bethany also split a home doubleheader with Hastings on Saturday.

The next time the Bulldogs take the diamond, they will find themselves in The Sunshine State for eight games during spring break. The run of action in Kissimmee, Fla., will begin next Sunday (March 8) with contests against Lawrence Tech (Mich.) at 12:15 p.m. and Florida National University at 2:30 p.m. (both times CT).

Softball season opens with pair of wins at Kansas Wesleyan

SALINA, Kan. – Saturday (Feb. 29)’s opponent had a 12-game head start on the Concordia University softball team, but it didn’t matter. Bulldog hitters combined for 23 hits (10 for extra bases) as the 2020 season opened with a doubleheader sweep of Kansas Wesleyan University (7-7) in Salina, Kan. Concordia won by scores of 12-4 and 11-2 in thumping the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference foe.

This marks the start of Shawn Semler’s second season as head coach of the Bulldogs, who are coming off a 28-12 campaign in 2019. Concordia has hopes of competing for a conference title this spring.

“It actually started off a little scary,” Semler said. “The first time through the batting order we kind of struggled. Our kids made some great adjustments and took it from there. I was really pleased. We had some shaky moments defensively, but overall it was pretty amazing. A lot of kids produced. So many of them swung the bat well.”

The Bulldogs found themselves in a 2-0 hole after the first two innings of game one. They then struck for seven runs in the third inning. Camry Moore (two-run triple) and Regan Karel (three-run homer) supplied the major blows in the onslaught that set the tone for the day. Concordia also added five runs in the sixth, including two via a Moore double.

In game two, the Bulldogs never trailed while Tori Homolka, Karel, Moore, Kylee Nixon and Sydni Schernikau each collected two hits. Homolka and Nixon both drove in three runs. Moore doubled twice as part of her monster day at the plate. Concordia ran away with game two while notching two runs in the first, one in the third, four in the fourth and four in the fifth (enacting the eight-run rule).

On the day, Homolka, Karel and Moore pounded out four hits apiece. Moore (three doubles and a triple) batted in five runs and Homolka (a double and a triple) knocked in four. Moore also scored four runs.

In the circle, Moore and freshman Zoe Flores picked up a win apiece. Both young hurlers allowed just two earned runs. Flores struck out eight in her collegiate debut.

Said Semler, “The combo of those two can be really tough. They complement each other well. Zoe is the complete opposite of Camry. Zoe was lights out and Camry was Camry.”

Play on Sunday will shift to Lindsborg, Kan., for a 1 p.m. CT doubleheader at Bethany College. The twin bill had originally been scheduled to be played on Friday. The two programs last met up in 2018 when they split a doubleheader in Lindsborg in late February.