Softball Splits High-Scoring Doubleheader with Hastings
Photo by John Hicks, 2016 season
by Noah Rohlfing
Concordia’s softball team lost its six-game win streak, but won the nightcap to split a GPAC doubleheader at Hastings on Friday night.
The Bulldogs move to 20-8 (5-3 GPAC) on the season.
In the first game, Hastings scored five runs in the first inning to take a 5-1 lead. Concordia responded by scoring five of its own in the second and added two in the third to take an 8-5 lead. The score would remain that way for the next three innings before junior Autumn Owens hit a home run in the sixth to give the Bulldogs a 9-5 lead. Hastings fought back with four runs in the bottom of the sixt, and won the game 11-10 with two runs in the bottom of the seventh.
Owens led Concordia with two home runs. Freshman Taryn Thomas had three hits and scored two runs.
The second game started with three scoreless innings, in stark contrast to the early game. Concordia scored in the fourth to take the lead, but Hastings scored three to take a 3-1 lead after the fourth inning. Senior Megan Ruppert hit a two-run homer to tie the game in top of the fifth inning. Hastings scored one in the bottom of the fifth to take the lead back. The Bulldogs then took the lead with two runs in the sixth and held on to get the 5-4 victory.
Ruppert had four hits and three RBIs, including the game-winning run. Senior Kylie Harpst pitched a complete game and got the win for the Bulldogs.
Up next for Concordia is a GPAC doubleheader against Morningside College. First pitch from Plum Creek Park is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 2.
