SEWARD, Neb. – Now that the Bulldogs have returned to Nebraska, they are gearing up for the start of conference play. Head Coach Ryan Dupic’s squad went 8-2 over its 10 games in The Sunshine State (March 1-9), where they made stops in West Palm Beach, Auburndale and Lake Wales. The Concordia University Baseball team wrapped up its Florida tour this past Saturday with a tight 6-4 defeat at the hands of No. 8 University of the Cumberlands (Ky.). The Bulldogs stand at 16-5 overall at the conclusion of nonconference action.
This week
Saturday, March 16 vs. Doane (14-2, 0-0 GPAC), 1 p.m. DH
--Live Webcast | Live Stats: Game 1 – Game 2 | Location: Plum Creek Park (Seward, Neb.)
Sunday, March 17 at Briar Cliff (6-10, 0-0 GPAC), 12 p.m. DH
--Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: Bishop Mueller Field (Sioux City, Iowa)
By the numbers
· While going 8-2 in the state of Florida, Concordia earned wins over Keiser University (Fla.) (two), Mount Vernon Nazarene University (Ohio), Valley City State University (N.D.), Calumet College of St. Joseph (Ind.), Lawrence Technological University (Mich.), Siena Heights University (Mich.) and Warner University (Fla.). The two losses came against Keiser (three-game series) and No. 8 Cumberlands. Over the 10-game run, the Bulldogs outscored their foes by a combined total of 73-49 and batted .283 with a .380 on-base percentage and .539 slugging percentage. The Concordia pitching staff posted a 3.96 ERA with 81 strikeouts in 75 innings.
· Concordia homered 20 times in Florida. Multiple homers were belted by the likes of Jaidan Quinn (five), Jay Adams (four), Alec Blakestad (three), Joey Grabanski (three) and Matt Rhoades (two). Adams put forth the team’s highest batting average on the trip as he went 14-for-35 (.400) with three doubles, four homers and 10 RBIs. It was also a fine stretch for Granbanski, who batted. 382 (13-for-34) with three doubles, three homers and 12 RBIs. Several Bulldog pitchers also threw solidly in Florida. Closer Maverick Wylder threw five shutout innings and collected two wins and three saves. Christian Gutierrez logged the most innings (14.1) as he allowed five earned runs on 12 hits and a walk to go along with 14 strikeouts. Three others did not allow a run in Florida: Rhoades (4.1 IP), Jacob Lycan (3.2 IP) and Sam Rambajan (2.1 IP).
· The Bonner Springs, Kan., native Quinn has already earned two GPAC Player of the Week awards and an NAIA National Player of the Week honor. Quinn enters this week leading the NAIA with 13 home runs. In this season’s first 21 games, Quinn is batting .435 (30-for-69) with 31 runs, seven doubles and 33 RBIs while sporting a .543 on-base percentage and 1.101 slugging percentage. The career numbers for Quinn are also eye popping. In 137 games as a Bulldog, Quinn has batted .360 with 59 home runs and 163 RBIs. He owns a career on-base percentage of .513 and slugging percentage of .845.
· In recent action, Adams rose to the top of the program’s all-time lists for hits (294) and doubles (60). He’s also the school standard bearer for runs scored (241). The Waverly, Neb., native is closing in on becoming the first player in program history to reach 300 career hits. Over 211 games in Concordia blue, Adams has also totaled 40 home runs, 191 RBIs and 480 total bases. His career batting average stands at .358.
· With a homer and a double in the final game of the road trip, Grabanski moved past 500 career total bases, making him the first player in program history to accomplish that feat. In his career, the Grand Forks, N.D., native has recorded 145 singles, 46 doubles and 67 home runs. According to the NAIA record book entering this season, Grabanski ranks third in the history of the NAIA for career home runs. The top two in the association’s history are Brice Cutspec (77) and Steve Dover (72).
· Dupic’s career record stands at 298-168-1 in 10 seasons leading the program. A year ago, he became the winningest coach in the history of Concordia Baseball. Entering this season, the Bulldogs were one of seven NAIA programs to have won 40 or more games in each of the past three years. Dupic has guided the program to a combined five GPAC championships, five national tournaments and one NAIA World Series appearance.
· The bullpen has emerged as an early strength for Concordia. The team’s most effective relievers to this point have been Logan Fragomeni (1.12 ERA in 8.0 IP), Jacob Lycan (1.42 ERA in 6.1 IP), Sam Rambajan (0.00 ERA in 3.1 IP) and Maverick Wylder (1.12 ERA in 8.0 IP). The team ERA sits at 4.23 in 151 innings. Christian Gutierrez has gone 2-1 with a 2.81 ERA in 25.2 innings as a starter.
The opponents
Doane swept GPAC regular season and tournament titles in 2023 and is primed for another successful spring under the leadership of seventh-year Head Coach Josh Oltmans. The Tigers have started this season at 14-2 with a pair of wins over 10th-ranked Missouri Baptist University. Doane boasts a strong pitching staff headed by ace Aaron Forrest, who is 5-0 with a 2.10 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 30 innings. Forrest was last season’s GPAC Pitcher of the Year. The returning first/second team All-GPAC players for the Tigers are Forrest along with Logan Amick (second team), Kaden Crawford (first team), Nate Mensik (first team), Joe Osborn (first team). Doane was ranked No. 9 in the latest media poll released by NAIABall.
Briar Cliff was picked seventh by the coaches in the GPAC preseason poll. The Chargers have started 6-10 after finishing last season at 23-26 (9-19 GPAC). Head Coach Corby McGlauflin returns 2023 Honorable Mention All-GPAC award winners Matt Hmielewski and Kyle Steinborn. So far this season, Briar Clif is batting .253 and is averaging 3.4 runs scored per game. The pitching staff sports an ERA of 6.33. Steinborn has made four starts and owns a 1-1 record and 3.24 ERA in 25 innings. Before hosting the Bulldogs on Sunday, Briar Cliff will welcome Hastings to Sioux City for a doubleheader on Friday.
Next Week
Conference play will continue as Northwestern pays a visit to Seward for a four-game series that will unfold March 22-23. Doubleheaders are scheduled to get underway at 4 p.m. on March 22 and at 1 p.m. on March 23.