TUCSON, Ariz. – Jennifer Katz and Megan Eurich came out firing on Day two of the Tucson Invitational, leading to a split against Graceland University (Iowa) and Madonna University (Mich.). The Bulldogs had their third straight shutout pitched by Eurich, leading to a 3-0 victory over the Yellow Jackets in game one. Against the Crusaders, the teams matched each other with 10 hits but Concordia couldn’t capitalize in the 1-6 loss for game two. Katz finished her day with five hits (5-for-7) and Eurich finished in the pitcher’s circle with zero earned runs through 10.2 innings pitched.
The Bulldogs are 7-11 on the year and have two more days (four games) on their trip to Arizona. Head Coach Brock Culler commented on how the team is playing and game two of the day.
“We are playing really well. Our first squad is playing high level softball right now. Megan Eurich is on a different planet. I love the way she is pitching, obviously. Our defense and offense are great. We have it going and I like what I see. Katz is seeing the ball well. She is swinging at the right pitches and is a disciplined athletic kid. It is not a huge surprise that she is having success. (In game two) We left runners on and just couldn’t get anything punched through. We started some young kids and we were just trying to get some of them on the dirt. In the end, I love that our kids never stopped swinging and kept going.”
With one out versus Graceland (11-7), Jennifer Katz started the three-run inning off with a single to right field. The Bulldogs loaded the bases with fielder's choice and a walk, and the Yellow Jackets walked Julia Van Wey pushing Katz across the plate, breaking the scoreless tie. Isom followed with a two-RBI line drive to center field, scoring Delanie Voshell and Laycee Josoff. Moving to the bottom of the third, Graceland found the bases loaded with one out and had plans to respond after allowing three runs.
Eurich with complete composure walks out of the inning with a strikeout and a pop out to put away the side. Eurich got the staring nod in game one and proved once again, she is the Bulldog ace in the pitching lane. The Gretna, Neb., product finished with 13 strikeouts (six in game one) and two base on balls in total of the two outings and 42 batters faced.
The opponents pitchers should consider walking Katz the rest of the time in Tucson, after a .714 batting average on Wednesday. The Omaha, Neb., standout and Zoe Isom continue to crack the ball, as the Fillmore high school product added two hits and three RBIs to her trip. Isom had 28 hits last season but already has 19 before entering conference play.
The Bulldogs gave their younger crew a look in the starting circle and Kaylei Denison pitched through 3.1 innings (three Ks), allowing five runs and one homer by Madonna (19-1). Concordia continued to fight and show grit making connections with the bats. The one piece missing was getting runners over the final bag after leaving 12 on base.
Other offensive standouts in the second game were Julia Van Wey (2-4, 1 R) and Taylor Glause (2-4).
Concordia (6-10) continues its Tucson Invite schedule tomorrow (Mar. 7) against Valley City State University (N.D.) and the University of Saint Francis (Ill.). The Bulldogs will have the same first pitch times as today, with game one at 9 a.m. MT / 10 a.m. CT and game two at 11 a.m. MT / noon CT. For more details on the spring break trip, click HERE.