CRETE, Neb. – No lead was safe in a rare game in which the word ‘epic’ actually applies. Every time Concordia University, Nebraska Baseball thought it had its rival beat, Doane roared back with its relentless offensive attack in Monday (May 4)’s GPAC Championship Game played in warm and breezy conditions in Crete, Neb. Ultimately, the 10th-ranked Tigers scored four runs in the bottom of the 10th to walk it off, 17-16. The Bulldogs were unable to hold onto leads of 13-11 heading into the bottom of the ninth and 16-13 entering the bottom of the 10th.
Head Coach Ryan Dupic led his squad to the GPAC Championship Game for the seventh time in his 12-year tenure. As the conference runner up in both the regular season and postseason, Concordia (37-16) will be headed to the national tournament once again.
Said Dupic, “It was a really well-played game offensively by both teams. Both teams showed great resilience and created a memorable championship game. It’s difficult to come up short in a game like that … Bronx (Lewis) has played really well on both sides of the ball. It’s fun to see him in the same competitive space mentally in each pitch, and that consistent approach is showing.”
It appeared the Bulldogs were on the brink of victory in the bottom of the ninth when reliever Warren Rose retired the first two hitters on flyouts. Trailing 13-11, Doane twice was down to its final strike before tying the contest when Jeff Grossart slugged a two-run homer to right. An inning later, the Tigers rallied again on the strength of a Max Harris two-run triple. The deciding tally scored when Grossart reached on an error, chasing Carter Roth to the plate.
It took a gargantuan effort from the Doane offense to overcome the production of Bronx Lewis and the Bulldogs. Lewis led off the game with his 22nd home run of the season. An inning later, Lewis destroyed a 3-2 pitch for a two-run blast, his 23rd of the campaign. The Cedar Rapids, Iowa, native got the Barry Bonds treatment the rest of the way – five walks, including four intentionally. In the fifth inning, freshman Andrew Fetty pulverized a two-run shot that gave Concordia an 8-6 lead at the time.
Both teams kept on trading blows with only six of the 20 half-innings resulting in zeroes on the board. Concordia rattled off four runs in the top of the first and never trailed until the 10th inning. The Bulldog lineup collected 18 hits and worked 10 walks while seeing eight different Doane pitchers. Concordia built its largest lead, 11-6, with the help of an RBI single apiece from Luke Wilson and Jaeden Jordahl and sacrifice fly from Jake Watson over the sixth and seventh frames.
In the ninth, Watson came through again, spraying a run-scoring hit to left center. Jordahl then made it 13-11 with base hit to left. Following Grossart’s dramatic homer in the bottom half, the Bulldogs came right back with three runs with the help of a Tiger error and a two-run single from the star catcher Watson, who batted in 13 runs over the four GPAC tournament games. There were seven Bulldog players who notched multiple hits on the day, led by three apiece from Jordahl and shortstop Jake Tyler (three runs scored).
The slugfest unfolded despite the presence of the GPAC’s top two pitching staffs, in terms of earned run average. Dupic called upon six different pitchers with Harrison Hoiekvam taking the ball to start the game. Sam Bespoyasny (2.2 IP) provided a degree of calm to the chaos by throwing scoreless fifth and sixth innings. He was lifted in the seventh as Concordia turned to Trent Schlim and Warren Rose (4 K in 2.1 IP). Relievers Ethen Roberts (win) and Brody Smearer (loss) were the pitchers of decision.
Doane’s top hitters were Brayden Jones and Tanner Nelson with four hits apiece. Sam Kwapnioski also produced a home run. The Tigers finished with 23 hits (five for extra bases). Doane (44-9) will host an NAIA Opening Round in Lincoln next week.
Notably, Lewis went 6-for-10 (.810 OBP / 1.900 SLG) with a double, four home runs, 10 walks, three stolen bases and two outfield assists over the four GPAC tournament games.
As automatic national qualifiers, the Bulldogs will be one of 46 teams in the NAIA National Championship Opening Round field. Official qualifiers and opening round pairings are scheduled to be announced at 4 p.m. CT on Wednesday via the NAIA’s live selection show (NAIA YouTube). Concordia will make its eighth national tournament appearance during Dupic’s tenure.