CRETE, Neb. – The in-state rival Bulldogs and Tigers clashed inside the Doane Ballfield Complex as the two sides split with a game apiece. Concordia University, Nebraska Softball dropped game one (2-0) and responded with a 5-4 win in game two over Doane. CUNE punched 12 hits in the two contests and Taryn Ganstrom tagged three (3-for-4) in the second outing.
Head Coach Brock Culler and company are 21-15 overall and 6-8 in conference play.
“I saw that we are competing,” Coach Culler said. “I don’t know if anyone outside of our dugout knows how much we needed that win. It was huge for our team. I’m really proud of them for staying with it and grinding. In game two, we used a lot of players. Players who were supporting each other that are used to playing and didn’t get to see the field in the second game. We got some younger players in, and we had some big moments. They came through and it was really good.”
Tied at one each (game two), Ganstrom popped a two RBI single down the right field line to score Grace Maguire and Lillian Loghry. Avery O’Boyle reached on a fielding error and Ganstrom took advantage giving the Dawgs a three-run frame. After the Tigers tied it back in the third, the speedy Aubrey Bruning crossed home plate off a throwing error by the catcher (5th). Enter relief pitcher, Megan Eurich to shut down Doane, allowing only one hit in the 2.2 shutout innings for her fourth save this year.
Kaylei Denison (8-4) earned the win and pitched 4.1 frames allowing five hits, three earned runs and one walk in the showing. Denison, a Waverly, Neb., native, has made a huge jump in ERA so far this season with a 3.35 versus 2024 (7.86).
In game one, Eurich (7-9) was dealing zeros on the scoreboard before the Tigers capitalized on two unearned runs from an error and two passed balls. Concordia had multiple chances with six runners left on base but couldn’t make lemonade, missing out on its swings. The Dawgs and Doane had four hits apiece, but the errors were costly once again for the visitors.
Ganstrom ended with two runs, two RBIs and a stolen base. Designated Player Keira Farritor went 2-for-3 in game two and pushed across a run batted in.
The Tigers (15-21, 7-9 GPAC) split both games with Faith McDonald and Faith Molina in the pitchers’ circle as the two tag teamed for a game one blanking. Molina gave up five of the 12 hits and zero earned runs. In the batters’ box, Grace Dowding went 4-for-7 scoring three runs, an RBI, a double and two stolen bases. Doane will face Bellevue University on the road on Wednesday.
Concordia (21-15, 6-8 GPAC) will have a quick turnaround facing Waldorf (3-24, 1-9 GPAC) tomorrow (April 12). First pitch is set for 1 p.m. CT at Plum Creek Park in Seward.