FREMONT, Neb. – The Concordia University softball team knew its lineup would face a stiff challenge on Tuesday (April 16). The opponent, No. 20 Midland, features one of the nation’s top pitchers in ace Jaylee Hinrichs. In game one in Fremont, Neb., Bulldog freshman Camry Moore matched her zero for zero in a 1-0 Concordia victory in nine innings. The Warriors responded in game two by winning, 4-3, on a walk-off home run in the seventh by Michaela Jackson.
Despite the heartache in second game, head coach Shawn Semler’s squad once again showed how far it has come since last season. The Bulldogs (21-7, 10-4 GPAC) can compete with anyone in the league.
“I don’t have any don’t as to where we’re at in this conference as being one of the contenders and one of the teams that could win this thing,” Semler said. “If not, we’re still going to be a tough out come conference tournament. We can beat anybody in this conference if we play well. We’re still working on some things. That second game we’re up 3-0 and there are some little things we didn’t do to add on another run. That came back to haunt us.”
In an afternoon ace-off, the lone run was of the unearned variety. With a 0-0 deadlock, GPAC Player of the Week Hhana Haro led off the top of the ninth with a base hit to right. Pinch runner Emily Sherstone advanced to second on Moore’s sacrifice bunt. Then with two outs, Sherstone stole third and scored the game’s only run after the catcher’s throw sailed into left field.
This was some of Moore’s finest work as a collegiate pitcher. She did not allow for any drama in the bottom of the ninth while setting Midland (21-7, 11-3 GPAC) down in order to close things out. In the process, Moore polished off a nine-inning shutout in which she allowed six hits (no walks) and recorded seven strikeouts.
“That’s what she’s capable of doing,” Semler said of Moore. “The future for her is so bright. She’s going to be so good in this conference. It was nice to see her go to work and do a great job for us.”
The Warriors did not score their first run of the day until the fourth inning of game two. In that frame, Elanna Osthoff made a highlight reel catch in left to momentarily preserve a shutout. But Midland got clutch two-out RBI singles by Angela Brazil and Kylie Engelman to cut Concordia’s lead to 3-2. Brazil also notched an RBI single in the sixth to tie the score. That set the stage for Jackson’s game winner to lead off the bottom of the seventh.
Bulldog hitters were limited to 11 total hits in the doubleheader. Three apiece came from Haro and freshman Kylee Nixon. A York High School product, Nixon drove in a pair of runs in game two while continuing her hot hitting. Moore added two hits and a run in the capper.
Senior Brittany Woolridge covered the first four innings of game two before being relieved by Moore. Both pitchers were charged with two runs allowed in that second contest.
The Warriors were in dangerous of losing for the fourth time in five outings before their game two rally. The top four in the updated GPAC standings are Morningside (14-2), Midland (11-3), Concordia (10-4) and Jamestown (9-5).
The Bulldogs will be back on the road within the state of Nebraska on Saturday when they head west to Hastings (10-20, 2-10 GPAC) for a 1 p.m. CT doubleheader. The Broncos, who will also host College of Saint Mary on Thursday, have dropped nine in a row since a 3-0 win over Dordt on April 5.