SEWARD, Neb. – The Concordia Women’s Softball team traveled to Fremont, Neb. to square off in a doubleheader against No. 13 Midland. Moving to a new park, Schilke Fields Complex, the Warriors allowed only one run by the Bulldogs, as they were unable to connect multiple hits in both games. The home team won by run rule (9-1) in game one and after five close innings in game two, Midland scored a couple of insurance runs in the last couple of frames (5-0).
Head Coach Brock Culler’s squad moves down to 10-16 overall and 0-2 in the conference. The second year head ball coach commented on the start of game one and bright spots in the second contest.
“In game one, we came out in the first three innings, and we weren’t ourselves. We were quiet and swinging at pitches we normally wouldn’t swing at. It just wasn’t our softball team. Rincon is good and Midland has a deep offensive lineup. In game two, Ganstrom gave five runs in six innings for her first start against a talented team. We played really good defense behind her. Delanie (Voshell) made two massive plays that kept them from having big innings. Offensively, we got runners on but just couldn’t get that other hit and we were one or two hits away from taking a lead in the second game.”
Taryn Ganstrom had come in relief so far this season, but through her play earned the starting spot against a talented Warriors squad. After four innings, she had only allowed one run and three hits against a team that returned a majority of their players from the World Series run a year ago. She would end with five earned runs, eight hits, zero walks and one strikeout.
Concordia left six on base and with the game still in reach, having missed opportunities as Coach Culler alluded to. Taylor Glause batted in the only run with Laycee Josoff crossing the plate. Julia Van Wey was the single player in Bulldog blue that had a two hit day. Others with a hit apiece were Aubrey Bruning and Montgomery Berner.
In game one, Megan Eurich was in the pitcher’s circle as she gave up nine runs, nine hits and two walks. Midland was able to capitalize, and leadoff Emily Prai collected four hits and three runs with Aja Henderson grabbing three hits, three runs and two RBIs.
Concordia (10-16, 0-2 GPAC) will face College of Saint Mary (7-11, 0-0 GPAC) on Tuesday (Mar. 26). The doubleheader is set to start at 4 p.m. CT at Plum Creek Ball Park.