Softball Breezes By Briar Cliff, Pushes Win Streak to Six

Photo by John Hicks, 2016

by Noah Rohlfing

Concordia’s softball team swept a Sunday afternoon GPAC doubleheader against Briar Cliff after the games were pushed back a day due to inclement weather.

Concordia improved to 19-7 and 4-2 in the GPAC.

The Bulldogs were hot out of the gates in the first game, scoring four runs in the first inning and two more in the second to take a 6-0 lead. Briar Cliff got two runs back in the third, but the Bulldogs were up 7-2 by the time the fourth inning began. Concordia added one run in the fourth and two in the fifth to take a 10-3 lead that would turn into a 12-5 final score in favor of the Bulldogs.

Junior Autumn Owens led Concordia with three hits and four RBIs. Freshman Ronee Watson chipped in with two hits and three RBIs of her own.

The second game was more of the same, as the Bulldogs scored three runs in the first inning and three more in the second to open up a 6-0 lead on the Chargers. In the bottom of the second, Briar Cliff scored four runs to fight back and make it a two-run game. Senior Kylie Harpst held the Chargers scoreless over the next three innings, and the Bulldogs distanced themselves with a run in the fifth inning and two runs in the sixth, courtesy of a double from sophomore Jamie Lefebure. The game ended as a 9-5 Concordia victory.

Watson led Concordia with two hits and three runs and four RBIs, capping a solid afternoon for the freshman.

Up next for the streaking Bulldogs is a GPAC doubleheader on the road against Hastings. First pitch from Hastings is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 29.