SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – With inclement weather ruling the Midwest in early Spring, the Bulldogs competed against No. 7 Northwestern, dropping both games in the doubleheader at the ASB Sports Complex. Moving to Friday (April 4) night, the Red Raiders run-ruled Concordia University, Nebraska Softball (9-0) in five innings, and then took game two, 6-2. The Dawg defense was overwhelmed, giving up four errors in the opening contest.
Head Coach Brock Culler and the dugout drop to 20-12 overall and 5-5 in GPAC play.
“They are a very good team,” Coach Culler said. “They play fast. They’re competitive. They play disciplined. They have an expectation to win, but I feel the same way about our team. The difference is that we played timid. In life and sports, you are always looking for that big opportunity. This was one of them and we just didn’t take advantage of it.”
Northwestern came out hot, hitting five knocks to score five runs in the first two frames. In a game where Concordia looked discombobulated from the start, the defensive errors (four) only aided the top-10 side. The onslaught continued in the fourth, capped by a Maddie Kvatek RBI triple to mount a nine-run lead. The Bulldogs' offensive response came in the form of three total hits (18 at-bats), two coming via Taryn Ganstrom, including a double.
Mass substitutions came from Culler, but the Red Raiders had already mounted the deciding damage. The ultra-talented Kate Kralik (16-3) claimed a game one shutout after pitching four strikeouts and one walk.
Following an opening inning run by NWC in game two, Aubrey Bruning doubled to score Delanie Voshell and Laycee Josoff to take an early lead. In response, Northwestern pushed home five unanswered runs and claimed the 6-2 lead by the end of the fourth. The two teams finished scoreless in the last two and a half frames to freeze the final score in favor of the home team.
Bruning, a Lincoln Southeast alum, went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a stolen base. The Lincoln, Neb., left fielder has 49 career stolen bags putting her in fourth all-time in swipes and one behind Stacey Miller (1997-98) in the program’s history.
Kylie Shottenkirk was the third Bulldog who collected multiple hits going 2-for-5 on the day with a double.
Northwestern (32-5, 12-0 GPAC) relied on consistent pitching from Ellie Jacobson, who allowed one earned run in five innings, and Tatum Schmalbec with zero runs in two innings. Ashtyn Billings hit a perfect 4-for-4, totaling five RBIs and two runs scored. Three players hit a 1.000 from the batters’ box in game one, including Billings, Sydney Jacobs (3-for-3) and Kvatek (2-for-2).
Concordia (20-12, 5-5 GPAC) will get back on the road next week and compete against Morningside (17-11, 5-3 GPAC) for a chance to jockey for a higher position in the standings. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. CT in Sioux City, Iowa.