Bulldogs end successful spring break with win

By Jacob Knabel on Mar. 12, 2020 in Softball

BOX SCORES: vs. St. Xavier | vs. St. Ambrose

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The Concordia University softball team enjoyed some fun in the sun over spring break in Kissimmee, Fla., – and a lot of winning. The Bulldogs did finally drop a game in Florida with a 3-1 loss to 22nd-ranked Saint Xavier University (Ill.), but it rebounded on Thursday (March 12) with a 5-4 victory over St. Ambrose University (Iowa) to wrap up an eight-game road trip.

Head coach Shawn Semler’s squad was originally scheduled to play a doubleheader on Saturday at fifth-ranked Oklahoma City University, but those games have been canceled. OCU’s conference, the Sooner Athletic Conference, has suspended all athletic activities. That means Concordia will return to Nebraska with a 12-2 overall record.

“It was a 0-0 game into the fifth between two really good teams,” Semler said of the matchup with Saint Xavier. “Both pitchers were dealing incredibly well. Kylee (Nixon) hits that (go-ahead) homer and everyone just erupts. Unfortunately we had just that one pitch that was left out over the plate, but it was a great college softball game.”

The pitcher’s duel was a battle between Camry Moore and Saint Xavier’s Allison Golic. It was rather impressive how Golic mowed down the Bulldogs, allowing them just two hits while striking out 10 in a seven-inning complete game. Nixon’s blast in the top of the fifth gave Concordia a 1-0 lead that it held until Taylor Sterkowitz’s three-run bomb in the bottom of the sixth.

The competitor in Moore didn’t want that feeling linger into the final game in Kissimmee. More drilled a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth versus St. Ambrose to turn a one-run deficit into a one-run advantage. She relieved Zoe Flores in the circle and moved her pitching record to 7-1. Moore allowed three earned runs over 8.1 innings of work on Thursday.

Hhana Haro managed one hit in both games to push her hitting streak to begin the season to 12. Also in the victory over St. Ambrose, Regan Karel produced a two-run homer and Caitlyn McGarvie went 3-for-3 with a double, a run and an RBI. In addition, Tori Homolka and Sydni Schernikau claimed two hits apiece.

At least so far, Concordia seems to be validating the idea that it could be a GPAC championship contender this spring.

Said Semler, “It’s been fun to watch. It’s a great atmosphere to be in. This is a good group and a very talented team. I’ve been really impressed. It’s a team that doesn’t get too high or too low and I think that was why we were able to come from behind several times during the trip.”

The coronavirus pandemic has put many sporting events in jeopardy in recent days. With the doubleheader on Saturday wiped out, the next action on the schedule is slated for March 18 when Morningside is scheduled to be in Seward for a 5 p.m. CT twin bill. Should schedule changes be made, they will be announced via our website and social media.