SEWARD, Neb. – Concordia enters Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) play this Thursday (Mar. 21) after a schedule change due to weather. The Bulldogs will travel to Fremont, Neb. to face off against No. 12 Midland at their new home field, Schilke Fields Complex. CUNE had their home opener this past Saturday, taking two against Peru State College but gave up a pair against Nebraska Wesleyan University in the midweek. Head Coach Brock Culler’s squad has reached double digit wins with a 10-14 overall record.
Thursday, March 21 at Midland (21-4, 0-0 GPAC), 5 p.m. DH
--Live Webcast | Live Stats: Game 1 – Game 2 | Location: Schilke Fields Complex (Fremont, Neb.)
By the numbers
· After finally taking the field at Plum Creek Ball Park, the Dawgs protected the home field with a 1-0 shutout (game one) and an 11-6 triumph over the Bobcats. Megan Eurich pitched the first outing, garnering 13 strikeouts and allowing zero runs, two hits and one walk in eight innings pitched. Aubriana Krieser put a pinch running Deleesi Bartling on base with a double that eventually became the game winner. The offense caught fire in the second inning of game two, scoring six runs on five hits. Jula Van Wey had three hits (two RBIs) plus Jennifer Katz and Aubrey Bruning brought in three runs apiece. Bruning ran all over Peru State with five stolen bases in game two.
· Concordia had one of their worst defensive performances (four errors) to date in game one against the Prairie Wolves but remained within striking distance only down two after five innings. The team responded with a two-run 6th, as veterans Van Wey (3-3), Glause and Bowers all made contact inside the batters' box to tie the game. Unfortunately, Nebraska Wesleyan had a walk off hit to seal the win (3-2). The Bulldogs stranded six on base in game two with Glause going 3-3 at the plate and 4-5 for the day. Taryn Ganstrom was able to get out of 4.2 innings only giving up one run, four hits and two walks.
· Since March 2nd, pitcher Megan Eurich has been an ace gunslinger for the Bulldogs. In 54 innings pitched, the Gretna, Neb., native has claimed a 0.78 ERA, 56 strikeouts, five shutouts and a 6-1 record. She has allowed eight runs (six earned), 37 hits and 13 walks. She was awarded GPAC Pitcher of the Week for contests played March 4-10, after a 0.24 ERA in 29 innings.
· Jennifer Katz was awarded GPAC Player of the Week in the same stint after she went 9-for-17 (.529) at the plate during the Tucson Invite. She added two triples, a home run, and six RBIs on the week and converted all 12 chances in the outfield. On the season, Katz is hitting .308 with two home runs and 15 RBIs.
· On Saturday, Kylie Shottenkirk doubled in the 1st inning of the second game against Peru State recording the 100th hit of her collegiate career. Van Wey reached the feat earlier this season and has collected seven hits (.538 AVG) plus three RBIs in the past week.
· Concordia has four players with at least 20 hits which include Julia Van Wey (23), Taylor Glause (21), Zoie Isom (20) and Jennifer Katz (20). Glause leads the team in doubles (six) and Katz in triples (3). Bruning leads the team in stolen bases (eight) and two (Delanie Voshell and Laycee Josoff) are competing behind her with four.
Midland
The Warriors are 21-4 and come into the week with a 6-2 showing at the Tucson Invitational in Arizona. Averaging 7.4 runs a contest, Midland has an impressive batting average (.342), on-base percentage (.427) and slugging percentage (.495). MU returns its star pitcher Aliyah Rincon as she continues to dominate her competitors with a 1.22 ERA, 102 strikeouts, and a 12-3 record. Third baseman Roni Foote (.500) and center fielder Emily Prai (.443) lead the team in batting average, while Foote (.871) and Amanda Schmaderer (.681) pace the offense in slugging percentage. Key losses from last season’s NAIA World Series run were Carly Pfitzer, Ali Smith, Diana Nisbett and Keira Painter.
Next Week
Concordia is scheduled to take on College of Saint Mary and Doane at home the following week. The Bulldogs will face the Flames on Mar. 26 and the Tigers on Mar. 29.