ABERDEEN, S.D. – The Concordia University Softball team polished off a successful weekend road trip on Sunday by sweeping another doubleheader from Mayville State University (N.D.). Instead of meeting in Seward as originally planned, the two sides played four games at the Presentation College Dome in Aberdeen, S.D. After taking two from the Comets on Saturday, the Bulldogs won by scores of 8-4 and 3-2 on Sunday while powered by four hits from Julia Van Wey.
Head Coach Tatum Edwards’ squad has moved to 6-2 on the strength of a five-game win streak.
“We did a really good job of team offense,” Edwards said. “We got bunts down and moved runners really well. We had some kids come up and get extra-base hits and just did a solid job one through nine and making things happen when we needed it.
“Some of them had to adjust their eyesight a little bit (due to playing in the dome). Other than that, it was a smooth adjustment.”
In game one, Concordia broke a 4-4 tie in the sixth thanks to a four-run outburst. The game-winning surge began with a base hit from Hanna Bowers and was spurred by a double apiece from Van Wey and Lex Campos (two RBIs). Aubrey Bruning also added a run-scoring hit for some insurance. Bowers, Campos and Van Wey each notched two hits in Sunday’s morning contest.
In the circle, Megan Eurich did fine work while picking up her first career win. The Gretna, Neb., native covered 4.1 innings in relief and surrendered just one baserunner in a near spotless performance. Eurich was called upon after Brooke Townsend started and threw 2.2 innings.
By day’s end, Van Way collected a home run, two doubles and three RBIs. She led off the bottom of the third of game two with a blast to left field. Another run came home in that frame via an error. Van Wey then struck for the go-ahead RBI double in the fourth, supplying the game’s final tally. Caitlyn McGarvie and Kylee Nixon both contributed a hit and a run scored in the win.
The three runs were just enough for game two pitcher Camry Moore. The Bulldog ace fired a complete game in which she allowed five hits and one walk and recorded four strikeouts. Moore managed to work out of a jam in the sixth when Mayville State’s Bailey Larkin led off with a double. Following a sacrifice bunt, Moore coaxed two infield pop outs to end the threat. She then worked a 1-2-3 seventh to cap the four-game sweep.
Concordia knows it can count on Moore. It is also developing depth alongside her on the staff. Said Edwards, “All of our pitchers did a really good job keeping us in every ballgame we played this weekend. Megan threw awesome and gave us a shot to win. She moved the ball around really well. Of course Camry does what Camry does. I’m proud of the whole pitching staff for performing their roles.”
Next up will be the Friends University Invitational next weekend (March 4-5) in Wichita, Kan. Over the two days, the Bulldogs will take on Graceland University (Iowa), Benedictine College (Kan.), Mount Mercy University (Iowa) and Peru State College.