MESQUITE, Texas – Concordia University, Nebraska Softball showed grit on the final day at the Southern Collegiate Sports NAIA Invitational but fell in both games to No. 2 Oklahoma City University, 9-0 (5 inn.), and the University of British Columbia, 5-1. With a slow offensive day, pitcher Kierstynn Linn had a strong showing in game two, but the Thunderbirds were able to outlast the freshman hurler in game two.
CUNE finished 3-3 at the Mesquite Softball Complex to begin its season at .500 early.
“This is exactly why we came down to Texas was to see these types of teams,” Head Coach Brock Culler said. “Just to see what kind of team we have. The question mark is going to be pitching after Deni. They are all freshmen. British Columbia is really solid, we saw two good teams today. This weekend was good for us. We are just going to build off some things we did really well and tune some things up and get ready for next weekend.”
One of the question marks for the team may have been answered as Linn stood tall against a talented British Columbia squad for five innings. The Bulldogs were in a 1-1 pitchers’ dual with Linn in the circle but the Thunderbirds finally capitalized on the freshman scoring four runs in the sixth. The stat line for the Norfolk, Neb., product, ended with 5.2 innings pitched, allowing six hits, five earned runs, one walk, while striking out four opposing batters.
Coach Culler said, “She (Linn) had a light bulb moment, man. She worked some hitters really well. Some pitches got away from her and they made her pay, but I thought this was a great day for Kierstyn. Really excited for her.”
Freshman Mary Beth Hart and sophomore Keira Farritor (RBI) were the lone two to find hits with the ball against UBC’s talented flamethrower Carleen Murray.
Going against one of the most well-known softball programs in the NAIA, the Bulldogs struggled to find their swing against the Stars on the offensive end. With very few chances to take the plate, Grace Maguire and Laycee Josoff hit 1-for-2 each going through the lineup only twice for each CUNE batter.
Oklahoma City was able to connect against Concordia’s Kaylei Denison and Lilly Elsasser for 12 hits, eight earned runs and a home run. The Stars cracked four extra-base knocks and were led by Analise Rayburn (2-for-2) driving in five runs and being a part of eight out of the nine marks on the scoreboard.
Concordia (3-3) will move on to compete against three consecutive Kansas teams, with two next weekend. The Bulldogs will take on the University of Saint Mary (Feb. 14) and Benedictine College (Feb. 15).