The Concordia University softball team's season came to an abrupt end on Wednesday as the Bulldogs were eliminated from the NAIA Region III tournament with back-to-back losses to Midland Lutheran and Northwestern.
In the first game the Bulldogs broke open a 0-0 tie in the bottom of the fourth inning when senior Sarah Bergen walked to lead off the inning. She was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Amanda Huckestein, Bergen later scored on a single by sophomore Laura Fugate.
Concordia held the lead until the top of the seventh inning, when Midland's offense strung four singles together and were able to push across two runs to take a 2-1 lead going into the final half inning. The Bulldogs were able to get the tying run on in the form of Nikki Bakker but she was stranded at first when the game ended when Clarissa Eloge flew out to right field.
Bergen picked up the loss for the Bulldogs in the circle, going seven complete while giving up two runs (both earned) on five hits. Offensively Concordia was held to just three hits while only two runners were able to advance past second base.
The Bulldogs then moved into an elimination game to take on Northwestern (Iowa) who had earlier lost to Morningside, 9-1. From the start the Red Raiders had the Bulldogs number as the Northwestern offense racked up 12 hits of starter Amanda Huckestein. In all seven innings Northwestern was able to at least put a runner in scoring position.
Concordia's offense was again held quiet in game two as the Bulldogs were always looking for the base hit to push across a run that never came. The Bulldogs had the opportunities to score runs with runners in scoring position eight times but failed to score any of those runners.
Huckestein was tabbed with the loss for the Bulldogs giving up two runs (both earned) on 12 hits while stile striking out seven.
The Bulldogs end the season 31-11 and will look to repeat in 2009 as the GPAC regular season champions without starters Samantha Hellbusch, Sarah Bergen, and Christy Jeppesen.
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score