SEWARD, Neb. – This was a forgettable day on the diamond for Concordia University Softball. The Bulldogs were no-hit in Friday (April 7)’s game one and made a combined nine errors in the doubleheader that was swept by defending GPAC champion Midland. The Warriors emerged from Plum Creek Park with wins by scores of 7-0 and 8-1. Midland pitcher Aliyah Rincon was just one defensive play short of firing a perfect game in a magnificent outing in the circle.
Head Coach Brock Culler’s squad is still searching for answers at the plate. Concordia (12-19, 1-7 GPAC) has dropped seven-straight GPAC games after defeating Morningside in the conference opener.
Without question, Rincon’s pitching performance was the story of the day. The reigning GPAC Pitcher of the Year racked up 15 strikeouts while not surrendering a single hit or walk. Friday’s first contest turned ugly during a second inning that saw the Bulldogs commit four errors, including one with two outs that cleared the bases. Carly Pfitzer helped punctuate the win for Midland by delivering a two-run homer.
Concordia never had a lead at any point on Friday. The Warriors (21-6, 6-0 GPAC) jumped on top in game two when Roni Foote sent a two-run homer over the wall, capitalizing on another Bulldog error. Concordia finally got its first run of the day when a Hanna Bowers’ fielder’s choice included an error that allowed Kylie Shottenkirk to score in the third inning. Shottenkirk singled twice and stole a base in game two.
In game one, Bulldog ace Megan Eurich threw better than what the final score indicated. The sloppiness defensively resulted in three unearned runs out of the seven she allowed. Eurich posted seven strikeouts while conceding eight hits and a walk. In game two, both Jerzi Rowe (4.1 IP) and Brooke Townsend (2.2 IP) saw action in the circle. After firing the no-hitter in game one, Rincon followed it up by going 2-for-3 with a homer and three RBIs in game two.
The Bulldogs will do it all over again on Saturday at Plum Creek Park. Thirteenth-ranked Northwestern (29-2, 6-0 GPAC) will be the opponent to wrap up the weekend in another 1 p.m. CT doubleheader. Concordia and Northwestern played each other four times in 2022 with the Red Raiders triumphing in three of those contests.