SALINA, Kan. – With the next conference series pushed back until after Easter, Concordia University, Nebraska Baseball and No. 12 Kansas Wesleyan met up for a matchup freshly added to the schedule. The Bulldogs struck first with an early home run before being silenced in what amounted to a 4-1 win for the Coyotes at Dean Evans Stadium on a cool and overcast Wednesday (April 1) in Salina, Kan. Two Kansas Wesleyan hurlers combined to limit Concordia to four hits in the nine-inning clash.
Head Coach Ryan Dupic’s squad now stands at 21-12 overall while having played 12 games against NAIA top 25 opponents.
“They just played a little better, got on base more and had more hits. It was pretty tight,” Dupic said. “In the end, they put a little more pressure on us and executed pitches better. It was one of those things where we wanted to get out and play and keep some momentum going. Unfortunately, we didn’t play well enough to win today.”
Senior center fielder Bronx Lewis extended his GPAC leading home run total to 14 when he drove a solo shot over the left field wall in the top of the second. It was tough sledding the rest of the way for the Bulldog offense. Coyote starting pitcher Shaw Lee covered six innings with one run allowed on four hits and three walks (three strikeouts). Reliever Riley Gwin then retired all nine hitters he faced while picking up the save.
Concordia was unable to come through after putting two runners on base in the third, fourth and sixth innings against Lee. Bulldog first baseman Carson Burnett enjoyed a 3-for-4 day that included a double.
In a positive development, Sam Bespoyasny made his first appearance on the mound since March 6. Bespoyasny surrendered one run on four hits (no walks) over 3.1 innings. Four Bulldogs were called upon out of the bullpen: Brody Smearer (1.2 IP), Warren Rose (0.2 IP), Alex Griess (1.1 IP) and DJ Andersen (1 IP). They faced a Kansas Wesleyan lineup that leads the NAIA in home runs (78 entering the day).
Run scoring hits for the Coyotes (28-6) were delivered by Logan Arndt (solo homer in the third), Chris Finocchario (two-run single in the sixth) and Joe Finder (RBI single in the eighth).
The outing allowed Concordia another chance to go head-to-head with national tournament level competition. Said Dupic, “We got some guys back out there and got to see some different arms. We wanted to keep some defensive flow. It’s hard in the moment because it didn’t go the way you wanted. It’s worth it. You’ve got to keep playing.”
A return to conference play will come immediately following the Easter holiday. The Bulldogs are scheduled to travel to Dordt (14-18, 4-8 GPAC) for a four-game series in Sioux Center, Iowa, April 6-7. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. CT on day one and 1 p.m. on day two.