SB: Bulldogs split in conference opener

Article Body: Junior Sarah Bergen tossed a one-hit shutout and sophomore Kendall Burgess had a grand slam to lead the Concordia University, Nebraska softball team to a win over Briar Cliff University in the second game of a doubleheader, 6-0, on Tuesday evening at Plum Creek Park in Seward.

Briar Cliff (9-7, 1-1 GPAC) rallied in the seventh to take the opening game of the twinbill, 4-2, to earn a split. The Chargers scored three runs in the top of the seventh on a pair of hits and two walks.

It was the home and conference opener for the Bulldogs who are now 5-8 (1-1 GPAC) on the season.

In game one, Amanda Hehn, who was tabbed with the loss, scattered five hits over six and a third innings, fanning five of the first seven batters she faced. The Chargers used a triple and a double to score the first run in the third for the early lead.

Concordia countered with a run in the fourth on an RBI single by Burgess to score Tawny Bullerdick who reached via a walk.

The Bulldogs took the lead in the fifth without the benefit of a hit in the inning. Concordia took advantage of three free passes and an error by the Chargers as Felicia Freitas scored on a passed ball.

In the second game, Bergen struck out at least two batters in five of the seven innings, finishing with 14 strikeouts. She struck out the side in the seventh to cap the one-hit performance.
Bergen had all the run support she would need after one inning of play thanks to Burgess' grand slam. It was the second homer of the season for the sophomore who is tied for the team lead in RBIs with nine.

Concordia added a pair of insurance runs in the third on an RBI single by catcher Charlotte Kaeding and a sacrifice fly by Samantha Hellbusch.
Bullerdick continued her recent hot-streak at the plate in the second game, going 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored. On the season she is hitting a blistering .472 and leads the Bulldogs in hits with 17.

The Bulldogs continue their homestand with a non-conference doubleheader with Peru State on Wednesday, March 22 at 5 p.m.

Posted by Sports Information on 3/21/2007 1:00:00 AM

SB: Bulldogs split in conference opener

SB: Bulldogs split in conference opener

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