Conference play to open Wednesday for red hot Bulldogs

By Jacob Knabel on Mar. 25, 2019 in Softball

SEWARD, Neb. – The Concordia University softball team will take a 10-game winning streak into the start of conference play, which begins on Wednesday with a doubleheader against rival Doane. The twin bill was originally scheduled to be at home, but poor field conditions at Plum Creek Park has caused it to be moved to Crete High School. Head coach Shawn Semler’s squad is also scheduled to be in Orange City, Iowa, for a GPAC doubleheader at Northwestern.

This Week

Wednesday, March 27 vs. Doane (9-11, 1-1), 5 p.m. (Crete High School)
-Live updates: @cunebulldogs
*Due to the change in venue, the games will not be streamed live.

Saturday, March 30 at Northwestern (7-10, 0-0), 1 p.m.
-Live webcast: Northwestern Stretch Internet portal

The Bulldogs recently went nearly two weeks between games due to a series of postponements and cancelations. They picked up an impromptu doubleheader at Ottawa University (Kan.) on March 22. The result were victories by scores of 10-5 (eight innings) and 5-3 that kept alive the win streak that began at the Tucson Invitational. The highlight triumph during that run was a 6-1 decision over Valley City State (N.D.), which now stands at 24-1 overall. Concordia did not receive votes in the most recent NAIA national poll, but is rated 26th in the NAIA by Massey Ratings.

Despite the win streak, the Bulldogs (11-3) still have not been able to make any traction in the official conference poll despite having the best overall win percentage (.786) among all GPAC teams. Concordia is also the top team in the GPAC according to Massey Ratings. Furthermore, it boasts conference rankings of first in fielding percentage (.962), first in slugging percentage (.474), second in runs per game (7.1), third in ERA (2.63) and third in lowest opponent batting average (.258). The Bulldogs have outscored their opponents by a combined total of 100-44 this season.

Tori Homolka, who has split time playing at shortstop and first base, has emerged as a star in her sophomore season. Over the past five games, Homolka has gone 12-for-18 (.667) with nine runs, four doubles, a home run, eight RBIs and three stolen bases. On the year, the native of Swanton, Neb., is hitting .449, has collected 10 extra base hits and is slugging .755. Other hitting standouts have been freshmen Kylee Nixon (12-for-23, four doubles, 10 RBIs) and Camry Moore (13-for-34, 12 RBIs) and reigning GPAC Player of the Year Hhana Haro (15-for-44, three home runs, 14 RBIs, .636 slugging).

Semler has also gotten solid results out of a three-person pitching staff featuring Moore (3.08 ERA, 27 strikeouts in 38.2 innings), senior Brittany Woolridge (5-0, 2.26 ERA, 34 innings) and sophomore Grace Bernhardt (3-0, 1.94 ERA, 18 innings). The doubleheader in Crete will be a homecoming for Moore and fellow Crete High School alums in Jamie Lefebure and MacKinsey Schmidt. Moore led the Cardinals to a Class B state title in 2017.

Doane is ranked above Concordia in the GPAC poll despite a below .500 record. The Tigers (ranked 82nd nationally by Massey) opened up conference play on Sunday and split with Morningside. Head coach Aurelia Gamch’s squad possesses two of the league’s top players in the likes of outfielder Jordan Van Roy and first baseman Jordyn Stearns. Doane made a splash outside of conference play with a 4-3 victory over then 22nd-ranked Southeastern University (Fla.). The Tigers lean heavily upon ace pitcher Josie Schnakenberg (1.48 ERA in 66 innings).

Northwestern is scheduled to open GPAC play at Dordt on Tuesday. The Red Raiders have not played since wrapping up a trip to Tucson, Ariz., on March 11. The leading hitter for head coach Shane Bouman’s squad is Amber Schubert, who is hitting .413 with eight doubles. As a team, Northwestern has hit only two home runs through 17 games. Emma Schnell has been the go-to pitcher. She sports a 2.76 ERA over 50.2 innings.

The hope is that Concordia will be able to host games by the time Jamestown and Dakota Wesleyan are scheduled to come to town the weekend of April 5-6.