SEWARD, Neb. – The Bulldogs have a six-game schedule starting on Monday (April 6) with a doubleheader versus Hastings. Concordia University, Nebraska Softball will host the Broncos and Northwestern with a road trip to Mount Marty sandwiched in between. The Plum Creek dugout is 13-12 overall and 2-4 in the conference.
This week
Monday, April 6 vs. Hastings (11-14, 2-6 GPAC), 2 p.m. DH
--Live Webcast | Game 1 - Game 2 | Location: Plum Creek Park (Seward, Neb.)
Wednesday, April 8 at Mount Marty (11-17, 2-6 GPAC), 4 p.m. DH
--Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: North-East Sertoma Field (Yankton, S.D.)
Saturday, April 11 vs. Northwestern (21-10, 6-2 GPAC), 1 p.m. DH
--Live Webcast | Game 1 - Game 2 | Location: Plum Creek Park (Seward, Neb.)
By the numbers
· With four games in Seward, the Bulldogs went 1-3 against a tough Morningside and Dakota Wesleyan dropping, 4-2, in a nail-biting game one, before they fended off the Mustangs, 3-1, in game two via a big outing by Kierstyn Linn. Concordia had its chances in the initial contest versus the offensive powerhouse Tigers but dropped both games (6-3, 15-0). Linn, a freshman out of Norfolk, Neb., delivered her first career full game performance as she gave up only one run on four hits and struck out three in seven innings pitched. In the batter’s box, Aubriana Krieser hit a team-leading .462 (6-for-13) as Hart (.357) followed. The Lincoln Southwest freshman stole a perfect four bags on four tries. Tobi Topp, Grace Maguire and Taryn Ganstrom all reached .333 in batting average for the four-game stretch.
· With the fourth-best batting average (.315) in the GPAC, the Bulldogs have delivered 209 hits in the season. The knock leaders are Hart (36), Krieser (29), Farritor (25), Ganstrom (24), Topp (24) and Josoff (16). The top hitting rates for Concordia start with Farritor (.397) and Hart (.396) with both continuing to lead the way. Batting over .300 are Krieser (.377), Grace Zaugg (.313) and Ganstrom (.308).
· Krieser tagged her ninth career homer in game one versus Morningside and her fourth of the season. In the month of March, the former NaviGator cracked a .486 batting average with a dugout-pacing 17 hits (four extra-base) with two four-baggers. The Lincoln, Neb., product has produced eight RBIs (2nd on team) and six runs (3rd). Slugging .714, Krieser has only struck out twice in 35 at-bats and has yet to have a fielding error in 25 games.
· Concordia’s defense has been lights out at times with the GPAC’s high fielding percentage (.963 ). The Bulldogs have 27 errors, the least in the conference, and are tied for 26th in the nation. The infield is always looking to turn two with nine on the season (third in GPAC). With stellar outfield play from the four primary players on the grass, Hart, Topp, Aubrey Wright and Grace Zaugg have only given up one free runner between them.
· The Bulldogs have run 286 total bases with 42 stolen bags. The lead base thief is Hart with 12 stolen in her freshman campaign. Taryn Ganstrom (eight) and Wright (five) follow behind Hart and Laycee Josoff (four) behind the top three. The list of Concordia players with at least one base swipe is Bailey Merritt (three), Topp (three), Zaugg (three), Avery O’Boyle, Grace Maguire, Krieser and Kiera Farritor.
· Mary Beth Hart leads the team with 36 hits (six extra-base) on 91 visits to the batter's box. With a .396 batting average, the Lincoln Southwest High alum has reached base in 44.9 percent of her plate appearances. The freshman left fielder has graced the leadoff spot from day one as a Bulldog and continues to show why she’s in the front with 12 stolen bags, totaling a second-best 43 bases. In 91 appearances in the batter’s box, Hart has only been punched out four times by opposing pitchers.
The Opponents
The Broncos are 11-14 overall and 2-6 in the conference going into the weekend. They won their last game, 11-0, against Waldorf and will take on Midland before coming to Seward on Monday. Hastings has scored 114 runs on a .263 batting average on 177 hits (11 home runs). Senior outfielder Katyn Kappler (.318) is out front in hits (28) and a .388 on-base percentage. Kaylee Pinneo (19) and Lauren Lee (16) pace the Broncos in runs driven in. Lee has a .563 slugging rate with 24 hits (nine extra-base). Hastings splits the time in the circle as the majority is earned by Dani Sitts (53.2 IP) and Kiera Brack (52.1 IP). Sitts has a team high 44 punch outs allowing 26 earned runs and Brack 27 strikeouts with 43 earned runs.
The Lancers are 11-17 overall and 2-6 in the GPAC. Losing to Northwestern (16-2, 10-3) in their last doubleheader, they will take on Midland on Monday to try and start a new streak. With a team hitting percentage of .263, Mount Marty has scored 106 runs on 164 hits. Sara Ocegueda-Aguilar has the lineup-best .414 batting average with freshman Kalli Boom (.365) behind her. Kayleen Jacinto has driven in 16 with a .652 slugging percentage. Jacey Hayen has thrown 62.0 innings allowing 55 earned runs and 38 strikeouts.
The Red Raiders are 21-12 overall and 6-4 in conference games while on a two-game losing streak. They will face Morningside and Briar Cliff before the Dawgs next weekend. Scoring 198 runs, Northwestern is led by Rylee Bomgaars (32) and Ava Gross (25) in crossing the plate. Gross (.404) is far above the rest with 44 hits including nine doubles and a .505 slugging percentage. Allison Koontz has a staggering 15 extra-base knocks with a team-high .648 slugging rate. Devils on the basepaths, the Red Raiders lead the league in stolen bags (90) as Bomgaars (20), Gross (14), Myla Murphy (13), Kavrl Van Kekerlx (12) and Cassidy Gors (11) have all reached double figures. Koontz (78.2), Tatum Schmalbeck (63.1) and Audrle Kohl (57.1) virtually tally all the innings thrown in the circle. Schmalbeck has given up a team-low 18 earned runs with Kohl striking out 46 total.
Up next
Concordia will have another treacherous six games with three doubleheaders versus Midland, Waldorf and Dordt. The Bulldogs will be on the road for all six contests, traveling to Fremont, Forest City and Sioux Center in five days.