The Concordia University softball team won both its games against the Nebraska Wesleyan Prairie Wolves Wednesday night at Plum Creek Park in Seward, Neb. Neither win came easily, however, as the Bulldogs needed extra innings to earn a 3-2 victory in game one and game two was a 5-4 nail-biter.
In game one the Prairie Wolves took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first when the first four hitters all reached base on three singles. Concordia answered when Charlotte Kaeding led off the bottom of the second with a towering home run over the left field fence. The Bulldogs took the lead in the bottom of the third on a deep sacrifice fly by Kendall Burgess, scoring Clarissa Eloge from third. Eloge had led off the inning with a single past the Nebraska Wesleyan shortstop.
Nebraska Wesleyan answered with their own run-scoring sacrifice fly in the top of the fifth, knotting the game at 2-2. Neither team was able to muster a legitimate scoring opportunity until Concordia's Sally Wolff led off the bottom of the ninth. Wolff made it all the way to second on a fly ball that was misplayed by the left fielder. Wolff moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Natalie Jeppesen and then was able to cross home as the game-ending run when Clarissa Eloge ripped a single down the left field line.
Nicole Sempek picked up her tenth win of the season, moving her record to 10-2 in 2009. Sempek threw a complete game, giving up two runs (both earned) on eight hits. Alysia Wittmack was given the loss for Nebraska Wesleyan. Her record drops to 11-6 in 2009.
Game two saw much of the same drama as Concordia, with one out, had to keep the tying run from scoring from third to hold on for the 5-4 victory.
The Bulldogs jumped to a quick 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first on the strength of a two-run home run from Burgess. Nebraska Wesleyan then scored four runs, all of which came because of three Concordia errors, to take a 4-2 lead over the next two innings. Concordia tied the game, 4-4, on a two-run scoring double to right center by second baseman Laura Fugate and took the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth on a solo homerun by Nicole Baker.
In the top of the seventh Nebraska Wesleyan had its leadoff hitter reach on a single to left field by Jenna Turner. Kim Salber was brought in to pinch run for Turner, adding more speed. Salber moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Megan Beckstead and to third on a ringing single to center field by Jamie Jaques. Nebraska Wesleyan failed to score the tying run from third when the next two hitters were retired by an infield popup and strikeout.
Caitlin Lawrence picked up the win for the Bulldogs, moving her record to 4-1. Lawrence went a complete seven innings, giving up four runs (none earned) on ten hits.
With the sweep the Bulldogs move to 15-12 overall and 8-6 in the GPAC and Nebraska Wesleyan falls to 16-12 overall, 8-6 in the GPAC. Concordia will travel north to take on Dakota Wesleyan on Friday, April 17 before taking on Mount Marty on Saturday, April 18.
Game 1 Box / Game 2 Box