SEWARD, Neb. – A pair of in-state GPAC rivals make up this week’s slate for the Concordia University Softball team, which has been idle since being swept in a doubleheader versus No. 16 Morningside on March 30. The Bulldogs will play at Doane on Wednesday before coming back home to host Midland on Saturday. Head Coach Shawn Semler’s squad enters the week with eight GPAC doubleheaders (and one nonconference twin bill) still remaining on the schedule.
This Week
Concordia (17-5, 3-3) at Doane (17-14, 4-2)
Wednesday, April 7 | 3 p.m. DH
Doane Ballfield Complex | Crete, Neb.
Webcast: Doane YouTube
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Concordia (17-5, 3-3) vs. Midland (17-6, 5-1)
Saturday, April 10 | 1 p.m. DH
Plum Creek Park | Seward, Neb.
Webcast/Live Stats: Concordia Sports Network
Commentator: Mike Meyer
Fan policy: Fan attendance will not be limited at other of this week’s game locations. However, fans are expected to wear masks and to distance themselves from other family groups. Admission can be purchased on site on game days.
By the numbers
· Concordia has had too much time to stew over last week’s pair of losses to Morningside. In game 1, the Bulldogs competed down to the final out as Camry Moore worked all seven innings in the circle. The Mustangs managed to erase a 3-0 deficit by putting two runs on the board in both the fourth and fifth frames. Game 2 turned into a nightmare when Morningside paraded around the bases for eight runs in the first inning. On a positive note, left fielder Caitlyn McGarvie went 3-for-4 with an RBI in the doubleheader. Meanwhile, Hhana Haro and Kylee Nixon notched two hits apiece in game 1.
· Concordia remains potent offensively despite the results last week. Three lineup regulars are hitting better than .400: Camry Moore (.412), Tori Homolka (.406) and Kylee Nixon (.405). Those three standouts have also supplied plenty of power with respective slugging percentages of .768 for Homolka, .721 for Moore and .703 for Nixon. In addition, third baseman Hhana Haro is heating up. Over the past seven games, Haro has gone 9-for-20 (.450) with a double and a home run at the plate.
· The trick right now is to find some consistency in the circle in games that Moore is not pitching. At times, Zoe Flores, Jerzi Rowe and Brooke Townsend have each provided quality innings. Rowe went 7.1 innings and allowed only two runs in the first start of her college career, Flores threw 5.2 shutout innings in an upset of No. 4 Oklahoma City University and Townsend put together a five-inning, one-run outing in a win over Presentation College (S.D.).
· Moore is the clear ace of the staff. So far in 2021, she’s pitched in 13 games (11 starts) and owns a 10-2 record to go along with a 1.92 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 65.2 innings. Incredibly, Moore has issued just 26 walks in 253.1 career collegiate innings. Moore is 17-3 in her last 20 decisions and owns a career record of 29-12. As a hitter, Moore has batted .368 with 15 doubles and 11 home runs in 74 career games.
· Eight players in program history have reached the 100-RBI mark. Homolka (96) and Haro (95) are closing in on that milestone. In most key statistical categories, everyone is looking up at Mindy (Evans) Miller, the all-time leader in hits (227), RBIs (177), runs (169), pitching wins (83) and innings pitched (869). In her career, Homolka has batted .362 with 31 doubles, 12 triples, 17 home runs and 96 RBIs. Meanwhile, Haro has hit .440 with 36 doubles, 14 home runs and 95 RBIs.
The opponents
Doane has played in a large number of low scoring games while leaning upon ace pitcher Josie Schnakenberg, who sports a 2.28 ERA and 100 strikeouts in 92 innings. The Tigers are coming off a pair of loss at Midland (3-0 and 8-0) that occurred on Thursday of last week. Doane’s top hitters have been Kayla Miller (.363 BA, 4 HR, .560 SLG) and Shelby Downard (.341 BA, .9 2B, 4 HR, .598 SLG). Head Coach Jordan Olson’s squad owns GPAC doubleheader sweeps of Briar Cliff and College of Saint Mary.
Midland shared the 2019 GPAC regular season title with Morningside. Head Coach Mike Heard earned GPAC Coach of the Year honors in both 2018 and 2019. After dropping the first game of a doubleheader with Dordt, the Warriors have rattled off five GPAC wins in a row, including three by the run rule. Freshman Roni Foote has sizzled at the plate and is currently hitting .465 with eight home runs and 30 RBIs. The team’s top pitcher has been Aliyah Rincon, who is 9-2 with a 2.64 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 61 innings.
Looking ahead
A weekend road trip to the Dakotas is coming up April 16-17 when the Bulldogs will be at Jamestown (21-7, 4-2 GPAC) and at Dakota Wesleyan (8-14, 0-6 GPAC). Concordia will then have three-straight home doubleheaders.