The Concordia University softball team clinched the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) regular-season championship on Monday night with a two-game sweep of the Mount Marty College Lancers at Plum Creek Park in Seward, Neb.
The Bulldogs came into the day knowing that they needed to win just one of the two to clinch the title but were able to take two from the Lancers to put distance from the field as well as regaining momentum lost from Sundays losses.
In game one the Bulldogs came out early and scored five runs in the first two innings on six hits and two errors by Mount Marty. The Lancers managed to push across a pair of runs in the top of the fifth inning but that is all the closer they would get as Concordia held on for an 8-2 victory.
Senior Sarah Bergen picked up the complete game victory, scattering nine hits over seven innings while allowing two runs (both earned) and striking out two. Five Bulldogs registered multiple hits in game one: Christy Jeppesen (2-for-4, 2 runs scored), Clarissa Eloge (2-for-3, 3 runs scored, 2 RBI, including a homerun), Samantha Hellbushc (2-for-4, run scored), Bergen (2-for-4, RBI), and Anne Royuk (2-for-3, run scored).
In game two, Concordia skipper Frank Greene used the opportunity to get some of the younger Bulldogs into the action. The result was the same as Concordia cruised to the victory, 12-4, in five innings.
The Bulldog offense amassed 15 hits in the second game, led by Eloge who went 2-for-2 with a home run and four RBI while Royuk added a 3-for-3 performance for Concordia. Caitlin Lawrence was able to earn her fifth victory of the season throwing a complete game, scattering seven hits. Lawrence allowed four runs (all earned) while striking out two.
"I couldn't be more proud of a group of kids," Greene said. "We came out flat to begin the day but some of the younger kids stepped up and showed some fire in game two."
The Bulldogs will finish the regular season schedule as the Dakota Wesleyan Tigers come to Plum Creek Park for a 3 p.m. double header Tuesday, April 29.
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score