Bulldogs finish series 2-2 against Northwestern, get complete game out of Guitierrez
Senior pitcher Caden Johnson (25) throws out the first pitch of the game.
Photo credit: Josiah Seabaugh
By Darien Semedo
The Concordia Bulldogs (19-8, 3-3 ) finished their 4-game series against the Northwestern Red Raiders (14-13, 5-3), splitting 2-2, highlighted by Guitierrez’s complete game and another Grabanski home run.
The first game started at 2 p.m., with high winds blowing and keeping the temperatures down. The offenses were awake early, along with some help from a few errors. Northwestern scored three runs off of two errors in the first, but the Bulldogs were able to strike back thanks to help from Senior Superstar Joey Grabanski notching another homerun, scoring four runs in the bottom of the firsts.
The wheels would fall off for the Bulldogs in the top of the fourth, as the pitching staff could not get under control. Two early singles and a hit by pitch would load up the bases, leading to three runs scored. After a pitching change and a single, a balk would advance a runner home. The bleeding would not stop, as three straight walks and two singles would give the Raiders a seven-run inning and a 9-7 lead.
Northwestern added one more run in the sixth inning, finishing game 3 at 11-7 in favor of the Raiders. Grabanski finished 3-5, with a 2B, HR, and three RBIs, while leadoff Senior Jayden Adams would go 3-5, one RBI and two scored runs. Reliever Kellen Ingram would finish with the loss, allowing three earned runs and two walks with no outs.
The Bulldogs would respond quickly in the second game, scoring four runs in the first three innings. After walking a runner home in the first, the Bulldogs would take advantage of a few errors from the Raiders. Two bunts would get runners on base, then a few wild throws would advance the runners’ home. The Raiders would reach into the Bullpen early.
The Bulldogs’ junior starter Christian Guiterrez would enjoy a complete game with some help from the defense. No errors compared to three in the first game made for a clean 4-1 victory to finish the series. Guiterrez would finish seven complete innings, allowing six hits, one run, no walks, and four strikeouts.
Adams would finish game two with two hits, as well as senior designated hitter Bradley Hallock. Hallock and junior Ty Nekoliczak would have an RBI each as two of the runs scored were on errors from the Raider defense.
Up next for the Bulldogs will be a home two-game series against the Great Plains Athletic Conference leading Doane Tigers (18-4, 4-0) in Plum Creek Ballpark as GPAC conference play continues.
