CHICKASHA, Okla. – A Kylee Nixon first-inning, three-run homer and a fine pitching performance from Jerzi Rowe nearly kept the season alive for Concordia University Softball, but top-seeded and third-ranked University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma rallied back. A four-run seventh lifted The Drovers to a 5-3 victory in an elimination game at the NAIA National Championship Opening Round in Chickasha, Okla., on Tuesday (May 18).
Head Coach Shawn Semler’s squad concluded the season at 32-13 overall while making the program’s third national tournament appearance.
"It's been quite a ride,” Semler said. “I loved how hard they played and how much they played as a team. The camaraderie in the dugout for these games was second to none. That senior group really led all of that. It's going to be hard to see them go."
With its season on the line, USAO trotted out ace pitcher Emily Cerny (1.08 ERA entering the game). With two outs and two on in the bottom of the first, Nixon drilled Cerny’s 2-0 pitch over the left field wall. The Bulldogs coasted on those three runs and took a 3-1 lead all the way to the top of the seventh. Rowe had wiggled out of a jam in the sixth when the Drovers began the frame with back-to-back singles.
A freshman from Gretna, Neb., Rowe gave Concordia everything Semler could have asked for. She worked into the seventh inning and allowed two earned runs on six hits and two walks. A Mackenzie Ruth RBI triple in the seventh helped turn the tide in favor of USAO. The bracket host eventually took the lead on a sacrifice fly by Randa Hatter, and another run came home on a wild pitch. Zoe Flores and Brooke Townsend both came in as relievers during the seventh.
This was the last hurrah for seniors such as Hhana Haro, Tori Homolka, Jenessa Jarvis, Regan Karel and Allysia Thayer, who were each part of Tuesday’s lineup. They played a major role in getting the program back to the national stage.
Said Homolka, “This tournament just proves how good we are and who we can play with. We played two great teams and I think we showed so much. I have so much respect for this program. It was an honor to be here and it was great to be in this environment with the girls.”
Added Haro, “Being able to come out here and play competitive and do what I love – it means a lot to me. It was super rewarding to end my career this way. We worked four years to get this far.”
The loss of the seniors will leave several voids in the lineup, but Semler will also miss having their personalities and leadership inside the dugout. “Our seniors are amazing,” Semler said. “They are better people than they are softball players – and they’re pretty darn good softball players. It’s going to be sad to see them go. I think they’ve taught the younger group a lot about the game. Those younger kids being a part of this is really going to help us along.”
Had the Bulldogs defeated the Drovers, they would have played Grand View University (Iowa) in another elimination game on Tuesday. Fourth-seeded Bethany College (Kan.) moved into the driver’s seat of the Chickasha Bracket by going 2-0 on Monday.
The highlights of Concordia’s season included a victory over No. 2 Oklahoma City University and two wins over Morningside at the GPAC tournament. The runner-up GPAC tournament finish clinched an automatic bid to nationals.