SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – With the two most dangerous hitting teams clashing in the GPAC tournament, the Bulldogs jumped out to an early lead on second-seeded Dordt but surrendered the contest late, 6-4, on Thursday (April 30). Concordia University, Nebraska’s Aubriana Krieser (6-for-10) was the most consistent batter for the Seward roster in the postseason.
Head Coach Brock Culler and company end their 2026 season with a 1-2 conference playoff record and a 23-20 overall showing.
“Really proud of how we executed,” Coach Culler said. “We pitched well. We played hard defense and played clean. Offensively, our approach was really good, and they played the game the way it should be. We competed hard. Our win was not about me but about our seniors and our players for them to experience. Kinda get the monkey off the back. It is just another thing that the senior class can hang their hat on. It’s a good group and I’m going to miss the heck out of them.”
Down 4-3 in the top of the sixth, Grace Zaugg slashed a liner into centerfield to score pinch runner Aubrey Wright and tie the game. In the bottom of the frame, the Defenders responded with two unearned runs capped with a Rylee Yager single. The No. 6 seed Bulldogs couldn’t find an answer in the final three outs.
Concordia’s Taryn Ganstrom and Krieser (2-for-3) got the visitors started with back-to-back singles in the second. Laycee Josoff laid down a sacrifice bunt to score Ganstrom and Krieser scored on an error via the Defenders. The Lincoln North Star product Krieser was the most productive in batting average over the tournament (.600) ending her season with a .368 hitting rate (.511 slugging percentage).
Coach Culler added, “She played relaxed, and that’s when she is at her best. She was not pressing or getting in her head about - was that a strike or ball? Was I on my front foot? She was relaxed and calm. She’s a great hitter and trusted herself and her mechanics for a great two days.”
Down two (4-2), Avery O’Boyle laced an RBI single to score Zaugg (fifth) as the right fielder would drive in the game-tying run in the sixth. Putting pressure on the Defenders, Concordia forced Dordt to sub in ace Yager in the circle to complete the game unscathed.
Kaylei Denison pitched all six innings, giving up four earned runs and three walks while striking out five. The Waverly, Neb., native ends her season with 93 punch outs.
Krieser, O’Boyle (5-for-12), Ganstrom (4-for-10), Hart (4-for-12), Bailey Merritt (3-for-5) and Tobi Topp (3-for-10) each had at least three hits in the postseason playoff. Ganstrom and Topp paced the team in runs scored (three each) with Merritt and O’Boyle out front in runs batted in (three apiece).
Concordia will start its fifth offseason under Coach Culler after placing sixth in the GPAC. The Bulldogs will have to replace four primary players, including a majority of outfield athletes.