Honorable Mention: Hanna Bowers; Aubrey Bruning; Kylie Shottenkirk
SEWARD, Neb. – The sophomore class stood tall when it came time to name the 2023 all-conference award winners. The Concordia University Softball program was represented with 2023 Honorable Mention All-GPAC honors by sophomores in infielder Hanna Bowers, outfielder Aubrey Bruning and infielder Kylie Shottenkirk. The conference unveiled the list of honorees on Tuesday (May 9).
The three aforementioned Bulldogs enjoyed strong campaigns as Head Coach Brock Culler completed his first season leading the program. Each of those juniors-to-be will be key parts of the 2024 roster.
A native of Surprise, Ariz., and graduate of Willow Canyon High School, Bowers earned a starting role in 2023 and opened all 45 games at either second base or shortstop. As the team’s most consistent offensive force, Bowers batted .361 (52-for-144) and paced the team in hits (52) and total bases (72) while ranking second in slugging percentage (.500). Bowers also totaled five stolen bases, 12 doubles, a triple, two home runs and 25 RBIs and achieved a .416 on-base percentage. In the field, Bowers converted 164 of 179 chances for a .916 fielding percentage.
Bruning joined Bowers near the top of the lineup and led the team with a .427 on-base percentage in 2023. The Lincoln Southeast High School alum appeared in 41 games (32 starts) in the outfield and batted .363 (29-for-80) with 21 runs scored and eight stolen bases. As an outfielder, Bruning handled 34 of 36 chances for a .944 fielding percentage. In two seasons as a Bulldog, Bruning has played in 84 games and has totaled 58 hits (.305 batting average).
Shottenkirk began to realize her immense potential in 2023 as she batted .360 (41-for-114) while tying Bowers for a team high with 12 doubles and led the squad with a .544 slugging percentage. The Lincoln North Star High School product also totaled 21 runs, three home runs, 21 RBIs and four stolen bases and sported a .430 on-base percentage. Shottenkirk mostly split her 37 games played between shortstop and second base. She was named the GPAC Player of the Week on March 7. In 83 career games at Concordia, Shottenkirk has batted .335 with 17 doubles, three triples, five home runs and 44 RBIs.