SEWARD, Neb. – The Bulldogs will play six games in the next seven days and will travel on Tuesday (Feb. 24) for a replacement doubleheader added with Kansas Wesleyan University. Concordia University, Nebraska Softball will make the trip to Shawnee, Kan., to the Top Gun - NAIA Midwest College Classic over the weekend. CUNE is .500 (5-5) through 10 games played.
This week
Tuesday, February 24 at Kansas Wesleyan (1-2), 1 p.m. DH
--Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: Salina South High Softball Fields (Salina, Kan.)
Top Gun – Midwest Classic
--Live Webcast $$ | GameChanger | Location: Mid-America Sports Complex (Shawnee, Kan.)
Saturday, February 28 vs. Mount Mercy (4-10), 10 a.m., Field 9
Saturday, February 28 vs. Clarke (2-6), 12:15 p.m., Field 10
Sunday, March 1 vs. Benedictine (5-5), 10 a.m., Field 9
Sunday, March 1 vs. Park (7-4), 12:15 p.m., Field 10
By the numbers
· The Bulldogs pulled off two one-run wins (4-3, 8-7) against USM at Sand Hills Global Complex. Mary Beth Hart (4-for-7), Taryn Ganstrom (3-for-6), Laycee Josoff (3-for-6), and Aubriana Krieser (3-for-6) led in the batters box. Kaylei Denison pitched all seven frames of game one allowing only two earned runs and struck out three opposing batters. Without Concordia’s Kierstyn Linn, it pieced together game two via Lilly Elsasser hurling the majority of the seven innings (5.0) and Taryn Ganstrom returned to her old stomping grounds inside the circle to collect a save giving up zero runs in 1.2 boxes thrown. Others chipping in were Grace Zaugg, Kiera Farritor, Avery O’Boyle and Grace Maguire (HR).
· Missed opportunities defined the doubleheader versus the Ravens as the home team would change pitchers to silence the Bulldog bats just in the nick of time. The two losses (4-0, 7-3) had multiple outings with the bases full and Benedictine’s change in the circle would make the difference from a potential offensive explosion. Zaugg (2-for-2), Bailey Merritt (2-for-3), Hart (2-for-4) and Maguire (2-for-5) paced the Dawgs in hitting. Denison surrendered four earned runs and eight hits in six innings of work and Morgan Briley limited the Ravens to one run in 2.2 frames in game two.
· There are plenty of new or more recurring faces for Concordia Softball fans to familiarize themselves with. During action this season, 14 players have had early time on the field, including Zaugg, Hart, Farritor, Merritt, Tobi Topp, Aubrey Wright, Morgan Selvage, Ava Martinez, Linn, Elsasser, Morgan, Trinity Stephens, Lillian Loghry and Piper Seidl. The Bulldogs continue to move the starting players figuring out the best lineup.
· Head Coach Brock Culler is 70-80 at the helm of the Concordia Softball team. He has had a 25-19 GPAC record in the past two seasons continuing to improve the standard of the program. With Melissa Martinez in her second year as the lead assistant coach, the Bulldogs are poised for another jump. The coaching staff has remained consistent for the first year under Coach Culler as Janessa Anderson and Aaron Glause also stay on staff.
· Mary Beth Hart leads the team with 15 hits on 34 visits to the plate. With a .441 batting average, the Lincoln Southwest High alum has reached based .486 percent of her at-bats. The freshman left fielder has graced the leadoff spot from day one as a Bulldog and continues to show why in front in stolen bags (four). In 34 appearances in the batters box, Hart has only been punched out once by opposing pitchers.
· Grace Zaugg has been a pleasant surprise to Coach Culler going 4-for-5 in this last weekend’s outings. The transfer outfielder has earned playing time in the second game of doubleheaders and has made the most of her opportunities recently. Out of Watkins, Iowa, Zaugg has two doubles, four runs batted in, a walk and two stolen bases. With a .500 batting average, the senior, from Xavier High, has zero errors in six games played.
The Opponents
The Coyotes have been able to get three contests in against Oklahoma Panhandle State University going 1-2 in the series. With the last three games canceled, they will face off with the Bulldogs in a doubleheader. Elli Han (six) and Brooklyn Lange (five) as Madison Geer has two extra base knocks. Addie Herrera has pitched the lone complete game, taking the win in the circle, allowing only two runs and two walks in the triumph. Alli Mickelson has also threw 6.1 innings, giving up one earned run while dealing six punchouts.
The Top Gun Invite has pitted the Bulldogs against Mount Mercy University (Iowa), Clarke University (Iowa), Benedictine College (Kan.) and Park University (Mo.). On a six game losing streak, the Mustangs are 4-10 (0-3 versus GPAC) but have defeated Florida National University (2x), Keiser University (Fla.), and Bellevue University. The Pride have lost their last five and hold a 2-6 record early. They have defeated Briar Cliff while splitting with College of Saint Mary in a two game series. The Ravens are 5-5 coming off a win over the No. 2 team in the NAIA, Oklahoma City University (1-0). In a doubleheader, BC bested Concordia in both games (4-0, 7-3) to take a sweep. The Pirates are 7-4 overall and were on a four game winning streak before Oklahoma Wesleyan University. 7-1, snapped the run.
Up next
Concordia will make the trip to Wichita, Kan., for the Friends University Invite. The Bulldogs will play four games from March 6-7.