2024 GPAC Softball Preseason Coaches’ Poll
SEWARD, Neb. – In the 2024 GPAC Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll released on Thursday (Feb. 1), the Concordia University Softball team landed at No. 9. The poll is a reflection of where the Bulldogs finished the 2023 season – tied for 10th in the GPAC standings. In the 2024 poll, Midland got the nod at the top and was followed by Northwestern and Morningside. Midland received nine first-place votes while Northwestern pulled in three first-place votes.
Head Coach Brock Culler enters his second season at the helm of the program. Concordia believes it will show tremendous progress from a year ago.
“We have almost the entire team coming back from last year, minus a couple of key players,” Culler said. “This new group of freshmen and transfers we have in this year bring a ton of energy and excitement. There’s a lot of athleticism there. They are good softball players, good students and good people. They interact really well with each other and have a lot of fun. There’s a lot to be excited about.”
Each of the three Bulldogs who were named Honorable Mention All-GPAC in 2023 return this season: Hanna Bowers, Aubrey Bruning and Kylie Shottenkirk. All three Concordia standouts hit better than .300 in ’23 and are expected to be key parts of the lineup this spring. There are plenty of other veteran returners who will set the example. In the pitching circle, Megan Eurich is primed to build upon a sophomore campaign that saw her post a 3.76 ERA and 108 strikeouts in 136 innings.
Prior to taking over the program at Concordia, Culler spent 10 seasons leading the Grand Island Central Catholic program and was the first coach to ever lead GICC to the state tournament. Culler aspires to lead the Bulldogs back to the top of the GPAC. During the GPAC era (2000-present), Concordia Softball has claimed four total conference championships (2005, 2007, 2008 and 2015).
The Bulldogs are slated to get the 2024 season started on Feb. 10 with a doubleheader at Ottawa University (Kan.). The complete ’24 schedule can be found HERE.
2024 GPAC Softball Preseason Coaches’ Poll
--First-place vote in parentheses
1. Midland – 119 (9)
2. Northwestern – 112 (3)
3. Morningside – 92
4. Jamestown – 85
5. Dordt – 81
6. Hastings – 64
7. Briar Cliff – 52
8. Mount Marty – 51
9. Concordia – 50
10. Doane – 42
11. Dakota Wesleyan – 31
12. College of Saint Mary – 13