SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – Stellar pitching performances from Christian Gutierrez and Matt Rhoades and more solid defensive work ruled the day as the 17th-ranked Concordia University Baseball team polished off a four-game road sweep of Dordt. The Bulldogs emerged victorious on Saturday (March 30) by scores of 9-1 and 8-3. Instead of benefitting from a flurry of home runs, Concordia hitters wore out Defender pitching in games three and four of the series by waiting out a combined 16 walks (to go along with 20 hits).
Head Coach Ryan Dupic’s squad has pushed the winning streak to five while moving to 23-8 overall (7-3 GPAC). The Bulldogs outscored Dordt by a combined total of 36-8 on the weekend.
“They both did a great job,” Dupic said of Gutierrez and Rhoades. “I thought Christian really grinded. He didn’t have everything at his best today, but he competed really well. He made some big pitches and got a couple big double plays. Matt did a great job keeping them off balance, mixing pitches and changing speeds. Any time you get that depth out of your starters, it sets your bullpen up really well. If we can get that type of pitching, we’ll put ourselves in pretty good position.”
Gutierrez and Rhoades combined to cover 13 of the 16 innings pitched by Concordia hurlers on Saturday. The La Mirada, Calif., native Gutierrez (4-2, 3.00 ERA in 2024) wiggled his way out of several early jams before settling in. He logged six innings and limited the Defenders to one run on six hits and three walks (five strikeouts). Gutierrez escaped trouble in the first and second innings with the help of double play balls. In the series finale, Rhoades made his second pitching start of the season and went seven innings, surrendering one run on six hits and a walk to go along with seven punchouts. Rhoades has allowed only one run in 11.1 innings in 2024.
Three relievers saw action out of the bullpen over games three and four of the series. Kellen Ingram struck out the side to close out game three and Sam Rambajan and Logan Fragomeni were called upon after Rhoades exited the game. Frogomeni recorded the final six outs of the final contest. The pitchers were backed all weekend by strong defensive play as Concordia committed only one error in 124 chances throughout the series in Sioux Center, Iowa.
The addition of Jimmy Blumberg at shortstop has helped things fall into place for the Bulldogs from a defensive perspective. Said Dupic, “I think our infield was about as good as it’s been. Jaidan was terrific at third. Jimmy is a plus-plus shortstop and Ty (Nekoliczak) made some nice plays at second base. We got good play at first base (from Rhoades and Joey Grabanski). It’s been such an emphasis for us and this is the fruit of that labor. I’m really proud of those guys. It’s such an overlooked aspect of the game, but it’s something you have to be good at to be consistently competitive.”
The Bulldog lineup combined for 10 home runs in the series. Two of them came on Saturday as Brad Hallock lined a three-run shot to left in the second inning of game three and Tanner Tompkins unloaded for a solo blast in the fifth inning of game four. Concordia’s patience took its toll on Dordt pitching. Third baseman Jaidan Quinn enjoyed a 4-for-7 day that included three walks, a hit-by-pitch and three RBIs. Right fielder Jay Adams also collected four hits, drove in two runs and stole two bases.
Others with multiple hits for the day were Rhoades (3-for-9), Tompkins (2-for-5), Alec Blakestad (2-for-7) and Nekoliczak (2-for-8). On the bases, the Bulldogs were 6-for-6 on steal attempts. In addition to Adams’ two thefts, one steal apiece was notched by Carlos Benavides, Blakestad, Zackery Day and Nekoliczak. Concordia never trailed at any point on Saturday.
Dordt (6-25, 0-10 GPAC) has lost 18-straight series games versus the Bulldogs and is in the midst of an active 17-game skid. At the plate, second baseman Joseph Schlesselman led the way for the Defenders with two hits apiece in games three and four of the series. While Concordia played near error-free ball, Dordt was guilty of three errors in both contests on Saturday.
In an anticipated matchup that has twice been postponed, Concordia is slated to meet up with No. 9 Doane (23-5, 9-1 GPAC) on Tuesday. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. CT from Plum Creek Park. The Tigers took three of four from Jamestown this weekend in a series played in Crete. The clash on Tuesday will be a rematch of the 2023 GPAC Championship Game.