Concordia Softball Drops Doubleheader to Northwestern College in Home Opener

Photo by John Hicks, 2016 season

by Noah Rohlfing

Concordia’s softball team opened the GPAC season with two close losses against Northwestern College in an entertaining afternoon doubleheader on Saturday at Plum Creek Park. The Bulldogs fell to 13-7 overall and 0-2 in the GPAC.

The first game was hard-fought, with no runs being scored in the first three innings. Junior Autumn Owens put the Bulldogs up 1-0 with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fourth.

Northwestern responded with one run in the fifth and took control of the game with a run in the sixth inning and two runs in the seventh to take a 4-1 lead. Concordia clawed back with two runs in the bottom of the seventh but couldn’t complete the comeback and lost 4-3. Junior Michelle Woodward pitched a complete game for the Bulldogs giving up three earned runs and striking out six. Right fielder Taryn Thomas also got two hits and an RBI.

In game two of the doubleheader, senior Kylie Harpst started off strong, pitching a shutout through the first four innings. Concordia took the lead early after Owens drove in two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Two runs were added in the second inning, and Owens drove in her third RBI of the game in the third inning to make it 5-0.

Northwestern scored seven runs in the fifth, including a grand slam, and Concordia responded by scoring four runs of its own to take a 9-7 lead. The Red Raiders then added five runs in the sixth and one in the seventh to take the second game 13-9. Senior Megan Ruppert went two for four with a double and four RBIs to lead the Bulldogs.

Up next for the Bulldogs is a home doubleheader against the rival Doane Tigers on Tuesday, March 21. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. at Plum Creek Park.