SEWARD, Neb. – The Concordia University, Nebraska Softball Team will host senior day versus Mount Marty, celebrating eight on Saturday, but not before facing Dordt on Tuesday (April 15). The Bulldogs split six games from last week to win their last three contests. Head Coach Brock Culler and company are 23-15 and 8-8 in the conference.
Tuesday, April 15 vs. Dordt (20-12, 8-4 GPAC), 4 p.m. DH
--Live Webcast | Live Stats: Game 1 – Game 2 | Location: Plum Creek Park (Seward, Neb.)
Saturday, April 19 vs. Mount Marty (18-16, 9-7 GPAC), 1 p.m. DH
--Live Webcast | Live Stats: Game 1 – Game 2 | Location: Plum Creek Park (Seward, Neb.)
By the numbers
· After a six game losing streak, Concordia defeated Doane in game two with a 5-4 win in Crete, Neb. The Bulldogs capitalized on errors and Taryn Ganstrom helped the visitors get out front with a two-RBI single in the second. Aubrey Bruning scored the game winner on a throwing error in the fifth and the two offenses stayed silent the last two and a half frames. In game one, Eurich was dealing zeros on the scoreboard before the Tigers capitalized on two unearned runs from an error and two passed balls. Concordia had multiple chances with six runners left on base but couldn’t score the runners on base losing 2-0.
· The Bulldogs slashed through Waldorf in game one with six different players getting hits that culminated with a Jennifer Katz two-run bomb. Ganstrom and Bruning scored two runs apiece and Eurich made the 8-0 run rule (6 inn.) smooth sailing after allowed two hits and two walks in the 13-strikeout shutout (T-single game high). With the offense dying down a bit in game two, the Bulldogs needed every bit of the Denison one-run performance. The Waverly, Neb., product allowed five hits and three walks, while slipping in four punch outs.
· Errors plagued Concordia versus Morningside with six in the two contest. The Mustangs took both games run-ruling CUNE, 8-0, and continued their pressing offensive ways taking game two, 7-1. Jennifer Jatz remained steady in the hole going 4-for-6 with a double and RBI. Kaylei Denison allowed two earned runs and 11 hits in 5.2 innings pitched (game two).
· Base swiper Bruning has lifted her way to fourth all-time in career stolen bags. The Lincoln Southeast product totaled 49 after one against NWC and has surpassed Regan Doiel (2012-15). She is one away from matching Stacey Miller (1997-98) at 50 career stolen bases. She is 12-13 this season.
· Others moving up in the program’s history include Eurich, Hanna Bowers, Ganstrom and Jennifer Katz. Eurich, out of Gretna, Neb., has 449 career putouts sitting at No. 4 between Amanda Beeson (2011-14) with 470 and Amanda Hehn (2004-07) with 403. The ace also has 37 career wins tying Megan Pleak (2001-04) for seventh all-time. Hanna Bowers has 30 career doubles and is tied at No. 12 with Kylee Nixon (2019-22) in two-bagger knocks. Ganstrom is tied at No. 4 in single season triples (six) with three others. Katz, out of Omaha, Neb., has totaled four triples this season and is tied with 12 other performances at No. 13 all-time in single season. In less than two years, Katz has seven in her career just outside of the top five in the program’s history.
· Kylie Shottenkirk reached No. 5 in the Concordia Softball record books with her double in the first frame against the Red Raiders in game two. The Lincoln North Star alum has totaled 36 over the span of her career. She surpassed Samantha Hellbusch (2005-08) and is one away from tying Laura Fugate (2007-10) at No. 4. A senior infielder, Shottenkirk enters two more lists in CUNE history in career RBIs (87) and hits (146). She sits at No. 15 in RBIs and No. 17 in hits.
· The standings have become more clear and Northwestern (15-1) remains at the top of the conference. Not far behind is Midland (10-2) and Morningside (12-4). In the middle of the pack, Dakota Wesleyan (10-6), Mount Marty (9-7), Concordia (8-8) and Doane (7-9) make up a big potential moving ground. Dordt (6-8) and Hastings (7-11) are in the final spots of the current top eight. College of Saint Mary (5-11), Briar Cliff (2-14) and Waldorf (1-11) are at the bottom of the GPAC.
· The eight seniors being congratulated on Saturday include: Hanna Bowers, Aubrey Bruning, Megan Eurich, Zoe Isom, Jennifer Katz, Kylie Shottenkirk, Bethany Thomas and Delanie Voshell. This class has won 84 games (35 GPAC) and counting plus finished third in the conference last season. The eight represent five states: Arizona, California, Iowa, Montana and Nebraska.
Opponents
Dordt comes into the matchup with a 17-24 overall record and a 6-8 showing in the conference. Losing five of their last six games, the Defenders defeated CSM (4-1) in game one in their most recent victory. Chloe Kreuz (.420) has the top batting average for Dordt, and Lauren Steenstra is the leader in slugging percentage (.818). Steenstra has 24 hits this season, and 10 are home runs. Annabelle Hensley is pacing the team with 16 doubles. Kruez is also the lead Defender in the pitchers’ circle with a 3.19 ERA and a 9-12 record. She has a 1.54 WHIP and has a team high 94 sit downs in 138.1 innings pitched.
Mount Marty is as hot as any GPAC squad with seven consecutive wins defeating Hastings in both games (3-2, 15-7). The Lancers are 18-6 overall and 9-7 in the GPAC. They are set to face Dakota State University (S.D.) on Tuesday. Kayleen Jacinto is out front for Mount Marty in the batters’ box with a .407 batting average and a .699 slugging. Abby Johnson is right behind her with a .405 hitting percentage and a .467 on base percentage. McKenzie Gray has a 9-8 record in the circle and a 3.56 ERA in 110 innings pitched.
Up next
Concordia will finish out the regular season next week against Bellevue University and College of Saint Mary. The Bulldogs will host Bellevue in Plum Creek Park and travel for their final scheduled doubleheader to Omaha, Neb.