VIDEO: Wilson HR | Lewis HR | Burnett Grand Slam | Sweeton 14 K's
LINCOLN, Neb. – Sophomore Micah Sweeton continues to throw an invisible ball. His latest dazzling performance combined with three home runs from Bulldog hitters paved the way for a 12-1 Concordia University, Nebraska Baseball blowout of Dakota Wesleyan on day two of the GPAC Tournament in Sherman Field in Lincoln, Neb., on Thursday (April 30). A home run apiece from Luke Wilson, Bronx Lewis and Carson Burnett accounted for seven runs, more than enough for Sweeton, who equaled a career-high 14 strikeouts in a seven-inning complete game masterpiece.
Head Coach Ryan Dupic’s squad (36-15) has moved within one win of reaching the 2026 GPAC Championship Game. Concordia will be back on the diamond at 3 p.m. on Friday.
“We got a great start from Micah, and we really needed that coming off using a lot of the bullpen yesterday,” Dupic said. “The defense was solid. I really think the at bats were really good today, especially the top and middle of the order, and we got some good, competitive at bats at the bottom to spin it back to the top. We had really good depth in the lineup, which was really nice to see.”
In back-to-back starts, the Temecula, Calif., native Sweeton has gone the distance with exactly 14 K’s in both outings. In Thursday’s matinee, Sweeton struck out the side in the second and fifth innings. The Tigers finally broke up the shutout in the sixth inning with back-to-back hits (RBI single by Mason Riley). Sweeton restored order with two strikeouts in a row to end the threat. In the seventh, Sweeton stranded the bases loaded, coaxing a fielder’s choice grounder on his 117th and final pitch.
The blossoming right-hander has surrendered a grand total of four earned runs to go with 43 strikeouts over his past four starts (26.1 innings). There were postgame hugs all around for Sweeton, who has clearly earned the trust of his coaches and teammates.
Said Dupic of Sweeton, “He has four good pitches and he’s throwing so many strikes. They just don’t get on base much with the walk right now. That makes the other team have to string multiple hits together. He has so many different options in the arsenal. It’s been a ton of strikes, and his stuff is really good.”
The breeze that blew out to right on Thursday had lefty sluggers salivating. Wilson and Lewis fit that category – but they didn’t need any help. With the Bulldogs leading 2-0 in the top of the third, Wilson unloaded for a no-doubter of a two-run smash (10th of 2026) to right off southpaw Caleb Meyers. Two innings later, Lewis connected for his second homer in as many days, marking his 21st of the season.
Meyers, who was tagged with nine earned runs on six hits and five walks, was lifted for reliever Nate Huisken with two outs in the sixth. Huisken proceeded to walk Wilson, setting the stage for Burnett. The Poway, Calif., native powdered a 2-1 pitch over the wall in center for a grand slam. The blast made it 11-0 at the time.
Wilson enjoyed a 2-for-3 day that included a walk, two runs and two RBIs. The Calgary, Alberta, native has fit nicely into the middle of the Concordia lineup as a transfer from Miles Community College. Said Wilson, “We’re a family. All the guys love each other. We work hard together. We hang out. Everyone wants each other to succeed, which you don’t get a lot of places. Our coaching staff is supportive. They push us. There’s a high standard of excellence – we try to reach that every day. I couldn’t be happier.”
Third baseman Jimmy Blumberg also contributed significantly with two hits and two runs. In the No. 9 spot in the lineup, center fielder Layton Rivas doubled, walked, scored twice, drove in a run and was credited with a sacrifice bunt. Iron man catcher Jake Watson notched a hit and three RBIs. Leadoff man Jaeden Jordahl doubled and scored in the top of the first.
Dakota Wesleyan (20-27) upset No. 3 seed Morningside, 12-9, in the opening game of the Concordia Bracket. The loss to Concordia put the Tigers in a Thursday elimination game. Three DWU players accounted for the team’s six hits against the power arm of Sweeton.
Now 2-0 in the bracket, the Bulldogs will proceed to play at 3 p.m. on Friday. The opponent that advances to Friday will be tasked with attempting to twice defeat Concordia. The winners between the Concordia Bracket and Doane Bracket will meet in the GPAC Championship Game on Monday, May 4.
Concordia Bracket Info
• Full Bracket | Game Program (PDF)
• Location: Sherman Field | Lincoln, Neb.
• Live Webcasts: GPAC Network
• Live Stats: Presto Stats
• Buy Tickets
Wednesday, April 29
Game 1 – (6) Dakota Wesleyan def. (3) Morningside, 12-9 | Box Score
Game 2 – (2) Concordia def. (7) Mount Marty, 4-1 | Box Score
Thursday, April 30
Game 3 – (2) Concordia def. (6) Dakota Wesleyan, 12-1 (7 inn.) | Box Score
Game 4 – (3) Morningside vs. (7) Mount Marty, 3 p.m.
Game 5 – Game 4 Winner vs. (6) Dakota Wesleyan, 6 p.m.
Friday, May 1
Game 6 – (2) Concordia vs. Game 5 Winner, 3 p.m.
Game 7 – Game 6 Winner vs. Game 6 Loser, 6 p.m. (if necessary)
GPAC Championship Game – Monday, May 4 (highest seed hosts)