By Sam Firminhac, Athletic Communications
YANKTON, S.D. – The Concordia University Softball team dropped two high scoring contests in a windy weekend doubleheader against a Mount Marty opponent that is enjoying its best season in school history. The 13 runs Concordia plated on the day weren’t enough to get a win on Saturday (April 23). The Bulldogs lost the lead late in game one and ultimately ended up slipping by the final score of 7-6. In game two the offense was productive again, but Mount Marty proved to be too much in a 10-7 decision. Mount Marty’s bats were hot on the gusty day, hitting five home runs.
The Bulldogs fell to an even 21-21 on the season. With only two conference games left in the season, Concordia is sitting near the middle of the pack at 9-11 in the GPAC. Despite dropping two games, Head Coach Tatum Edwards was impressed with the offense her team provided.
“We hit the ball just as well as Mount Marty,” Edwards said. “They hit a couple more balls into the wind that carried out of the park. I’ve never seen wind blow that hard during a game. I was really proud of our offense. We just kept battling through our at bats. We kept finding holes. We’re starting to peak at the right time. If we can make the postseason, I think we can be a dangerous team.”
Kylee Nixon hit her tenth career home run and racked up three RBIs in game one. Camry Moore had four hits on the day, one of which was a triple. She picked up four RBIs along the way. Caitlyn McGarvie and Julia Van Wey each had three hits apiece over the two games. Kylie Shottenkirk added two RBIs in game one. Zoie Isom, Lex Campos and Grace Boganowski each batted in a run for the Bulldogs in game two.
Game one starter Camry Moore went six innings (complete game), allowing seven earned runs and eight hits. She struck out two and walked two. Jerzi Rowe got the nod for game two and went three innings, allowing eight earned and striking out two. Megan Eurich came in relief of Rowe and struck out four in three innings of work while only allowing one earned run.
The Lancers (26-10, 14-4 GPAC) remain in the hunt for a conference regular season title, currently situated one loss behind first-place Midland (17-3 GPAC). Mount Marty has broken program records for overall wins and conference wins in 2022. Concordia managed to limit Lance star shortstop Elliot Burns to one hit on the day – although it was a three-run homer.
Said Edwards, “For us to do what we did yesterday and come here today and really compete was a good sign. Again, Grace Boganowski has done a really good job at shortstop. It seems like everybody is starting to find what they’re best at. You love to see that later in the season, especially with the postseason coming around. We showed we can compete and hang with Mount Marty. That should give us some confidence and some momentum moving forward.”
The Bulldogs will wrap up the regular season on Tuesday with a trip to Hastings, Neb. First pitch of game one is set for 5 p.m. CT. In last season’s matchup with the Broncos (19-22, 5-11 GPAC), Concordia was able to end both games in the fifth inning via mercy rule.