The Concordia University baseball team had its senior day and final home series of the 2008 season spoiled as the Hastings College Broncos were able to sweep two games from the Bulldogs at Plum Creek Park in Seward, Neb., Sunday. In game one the Bulldogs out hit the Broncos 9-5 but were outscored by one, 5-4 as Concordia stranded six runners on base. Trailing 5-2 in the bottom of the fifth inning the Bulldogs got a lead off single from junior shortstop Casey Rodriguez, followed by Nate Schmoll who reached on an error by the Hastings third baseman. Both runners were brought in on back-to-back singles by Jack Holmberg and BJ Juelfs.
After Hastings made a pitching change the Bulldogs offense went cold. Concordia did not put another runner on base and fell one run short. Senior Matt Rottmann was tagged with the loss in game one as he finished giving up five runs (all earned) on five hits while walking two.
Juelfs led the Bulldog offense going 2-for-3 with a run scored and two RBI, while Rodriguez finished game one going 2-for-4 with a triple.
In game two, the Bulldogs jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when Jake Roberts led off with a single and later scored on a double by Schmoll. Concordia failed to move a base runner past second base the rest of the game.
Hastings came back and tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the fourth and took the lead for good with a two run home in the top of the fifth. Sophomore John Couch was credited with the loss as he went five and one third innings allowing three runs (all earned) on four hits while walking two.
Schmoll led the Bulldog offense in game two going 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI.
The Bulldogs end the season 8-35, 7-17 in the GPAC and will miss out on the GPAC postseason play for the third season in a row. With a young club the Bulldogs look to rebound for 2009.
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score