The Concordia University softball team showed Wednesday night that it deserves its spot atop the GPAC standings in a two game sweep of the Hastings College Broncos at Plum Creek Park in Seward, Neb.
In game one Concordia (15-5, 7-1 GPAC) cruised into the sixth inning with a 4-0 lead and looked to be heading for win. The Bronco hitters, however, would put a scare into the Bulldogs. After two doubles, a single, and two runs scored the Broncos had the tying runs on second and third with no outs. Senior pitcher Sarah Bergan found the right stuff to shut the door on Hastings, striking out the next two batters and getting the third to line harmlessly to short stop Samantha Hellbusch to end the threat.
"I went out there and told her ‘this is it, you have to step up and get us out of here,'" said head coach Frank Greene. "She (Bergan) showed that if she is tested, she can overcome it."
The Bulldogs would add an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth before finishing off the Broncos for a game one victory, 5-2. Bergan picked up the win as she went the complete seven innings, scattering eight hits while only allowing two runs (both earned).
Game two saw Concordia off to a slow start offensively before the Bulldogs exploded for seven runs in innings four through six. With a score of 9-1 in the Bulldogs' favor, the game was called after the sixth inning as the eight-run rule was enforced.
The Bulldogs were led offensively by third baseman Clarissa Eloge who went 2-for-4 with three RBI, while Hellbusch and freshman Nicole Baker each went 2-for-3 with a single RBI a piece.
The next action for the Bulldogs will be Friday, April 11, as the Morningside College Mustangs come to Seward, Neb. for a 5 p.m.
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score