Concordia Softball Bats Silenced in Regional Game, Panthers Fall 3-1 to Marysville

The Concordia High School Softball team ended its 2023 season Tuesday, May 15th with a 3-1 loss at home to the Marysville Bulldogs in the opening round of their 2023 Kansas State High School Activities Association Class 3A Regional Softball Tournament.

The Bulldogs, 5-14, advance to the regional semifinal to face the 15-6 Minneapolis Lions on Wednesday, May 17th.  Minneapolis took down Russell/Victoria, 12-2 in five innings, in their first round match-up.

Marysville and Minneapolis will square off immediately following a semifinal contest between top-seed Beloit (15-5) and the Riley County Falcons (8-11), which will begin at 2 pm Wednesday at the Concordia Sports Complex.  Beloit earned a first-round bye, while Riley County scored a 12-2 win over Plainville/Stockton in the opening round.

Concordia fell behind 1-0 in the first when Marysville Outfielder Lauryn Roberts led off the inning with a double to right-center, later scoring on a defensive error.

The Bulldogs extended their lead to 3-0 in the top of the fourth after collecting three hits with two outs.  Sophomore Pitcher Lindsey Dressman singled to right-center.  She then scored on an RBI hit by Senior Center Fielder Erikka Crome.  Panthers Right Fielder Shaelin Giersch made a diving attempt to catch Crome's fly ball, but couldn't make the play.  Sophomore First Baseman Trinity Hager then singled to left to score Crome.

The Panthers, who stranded five runners in the contest, had runners on the corners with one out in the bottom of the fourth, but Marysville Freshman Catcher Emma Behrens was able to pick off Concordia Sophomore Kenlee Williams at third, before Junior Catcher Emalee Johnson flew out to left to end the inning.

Panthers Junior Third Baseman Brecklynn Bonner led off the fifth being hit by a pitch.  She advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Junior Outfielder Hattie Blackwood.  A two-out RBI single to left by Junior First Baseman Erinae Flesher scored Bonner to cut Marysville's lead down to 3-1.

Concordia was retired in order in the bottom of the sixth.

After Bonner drew a one-out walk in the bottom of the seventh, Dressman was able to record back-to-back strikeouts to end the game, securing the win for Marysville.

Dressman pitched all seven innings, limiting Concordia to one run on one hit while striking out 11 batters.

Concordia Senior Hanna Acree went the distance for the Panthers.  Acree gave up three runs, two earned, off eight hits and recorded six strikeouts.  Acree, who did not issue a walk in the contest, finished her senior season with 77 strikeouts.

The Panthers end their year at 8-13 overall.