SEWARD, Neb. – Due to inclement weather and other unforeseen circumstances, last week became a light one for the Concordia University Softball team. The Bulldogs have not been in action since completing a suspended game at Doane on April 12. As part of a revised schedule, Concordia looks forward to GPAC doubleheaders this week against the likes of Jamestown, Mount Marty and Briar Cliff.
This Week
Concordia (20-6, 6-4) at Jamestown (25-9, 8-4)
Wednesday, April 21 | 2 p.m. DH
Trapper Field | Jamestown, N.D.
Webcast/Live Stats: Jamestown Stretch Live
Concordia (20-6, 6-4) vs. Mount Marty (17-12, 8-6)
*Senior Day*
Saturday, April 24 | 1 p.m. DH
Plum Creek Park | Seward, Neb.
Webcast/Live Stats: Concordia Sports Network
Concordia (20-6, 6-4) vs. Briar Cliff (17-19, 4-10)
Sunday, April 25 | 1 p.m. DH
Plum Creek Park | Seward, Neb.
Webcast/Live Stats: Concordia Sports Network
Fan Policy: Fans are allowed at this week’s venues. Per GPAC policy, fans are expected to wear masks when proper distancing cannot be achieved.
Senior day on Saturday: The program will recognize the senior class in between games of the doubleheader on Saturday. The following seven seniors will be honored: Hhana Haro (Garden Grove, Calif.), Tori Homolka (Swanton, Neb.), Jenessa Jarvis (Vail, Ariz.), Regan Karel (Seward, Neb.), Megan Klenke (Friend, Neb.), Jordan Metzger (Grand Island, Neb.) and Allysia Thayer (Rialto, Calif.).
By the numbers
· Considering the circumstances, the win at Doane (most recent outing) may have been as thrilling as any so far this season. When play was suspended after four innings of game 2 on April 7, the Tigers held a 3-1 lead. That advantage stood until there were two outs in the top of the seventh. That’s when hitting became contagious. Hhana Haro initiated a string of six-straight hits with an RBI single. Regan Karel then delivered the game-tying RBI double and Caitlyn McGarvie followed with a go-ahead RBI double. For good measure, Allysia Thayer and Kylee Nixon added an RBI single apiece.
· The Bulldogs are nearly halfway through the conference regular season. At 6-4 in the league, Concordia strongly believes it can be better down the stretch. One factor working in favor of the Bulldogs is the fact that they have already played three of the four teams currently ahead of them in the standings. Concordia is situated behind Morningside (13-1), Midland (10-2), Northwestern (10-4) and Jamestown (8-4).
· In conference games only, the leading hitter for the Bulldogs has been Hhana Haro, who is 14-for-31 (.452) with two doubles, a home run and four RBIs. Seward High School alum Regan Karel has also been swinging a hot bat having hit .393 with three doubles, two home runs and 10 RBIs in GPAC games. Four other Concordia regulars are hitting better than .300 in conference play: Camry Moore (.387), Kylee Nixon (.382), Tori Homolka (.323) and Caitlyn McGarvie (.320).
· Moore continues to shine as the team’s ace pitcher. She has run her season record to 13-2 to go along with a 2.03 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 82.2 innings. On another encouraging note, freshman Jerzi Rowe fired seven innings without allowing an earned run in game 2 of the home doubleheader versus Midland on April 11. After Moore in game 1 of twin bills, Head Coach Shawn Semler has often mixed and matched with the likes of Rowe, Zoe Flores and Brooke Townsend.
· Among GPAC teams, Concordia ranks fourth in fielding percentage (.959), fifth in runs scored per game (6.54), fifth in ERA (3.20), fifth in slugging percentage (.492) and sixth in batting average (.321). Individually, Moore ranks fourth in ERA (2.03) while being the stingiest pitcher in the conference in terms of walks allowed (1.02 per seven innings). From a milestone perspective, Homolka (98 RBIs) and Haro (97 RBIs) are nearing 100 RBIs in their careers.
The opponents
Jamestown’s nine-game win streak ended with a pair of shutout losses at Midland this past weekend. The Jimmies boast one of the GPAC’s top pitchers in Kat Miska, who is 12-2 with a 0.94 ERA and 159 strikeouts in 89 innings. She sports national rankings of ninth in ERA and 11th in opponent batting average (.163). Morgan Geiszler (.455 BA, 7 HR, 28 RBIs) leads an offense that averages 6.9 runs per game.
The Lancers have come a long ways since the days when they struggled near the bottom of the league. As a potent offensive team, Mount Marty has been paced by Emma Burns, who has eight home runs and is slugging .900. Two of her teammates also have hit six or more homers: Karlee Arnold (eight) and Makenzi Rockwell (six). Top pitcher Maureena Vornhagen is 6-3 with a 3.40 ERA.
Within conference play, Briar Cliff has struggled to score runs (33 runs scored in 14 games). However, the Chargers have gotten big production from Alexis Westercamp, who is hitting .421 with nine doubles, 11 home runs and 34 RBIs. The Chargers own an upset victory over No. 14 Morningside to their credit. Briar Cliff finished 6-16 in the conference in 2019 (last full season).
Looking ahead
Following this week, three GPAC doubleheaders will remain on the slate: at College of Saint Mary (April 27), at Dordt (May 1) and at Dakota Wesleyan (May 2). The GPAC tournament will get started on May 5.