ST. PAUL, Minn. - Last week, Concordia had a lengthy list of candidates for the Male and Female Athlete of the Week nod at the University. After deliberation, the athletic department decided to recognize sophomore Ben Lemke (Baseball) and senior Anna Bjorlin (Softball) for their outstanding play. It is Lemke's first career selection while Bjorlin picks up her third career honor, first of 2010. Bjorlin was also tabbed the NSIC's Player of the Week for the excellent performances. The selections are for last week's performances, and do not include their performances from Tuesday through Thursday, respectively.
Sophomore right hander Ben Lemke (Rosemount, Minn.) tossed a complete game victory on Saturday against UW-La Crosse at Metrodome. In need of a stopper, Concordia turned to Lemke for an ace performance and he delivered. The complete game came on just 89 pitches, he struck out six Eagles without issuing any walks and scattered six hits. His no-hit bid last until the fourth inning with two outs when he finally was tagged for a base hit. He also started Concordia’s first game against Minnesota Duluth last Wednesday, issuing a scoreless first inning in a scheduled 1-inning mid-week appearance. For the week, Lemke had a 2.25 earned run average and struck out seven over eight innings while holding opposing bats to a .200 average.
The Golden Bear softball team received a .714 batting performance from lead-off hitter Anna Bjorlin (IF, 5-4, Sr., R/R, Hermantown, Minn.) to take both wins in a non-conference doubleheader against Southwest Minnesota State on Friday. Bjorlin has proven to be possibly the best lead-off hitter in the NSIC this season, reaching base to start off the game in 13 of Concordia’s 18 matchups this season. Bjorlin became Concordia’s all-time runs scored leader against the Mustangs, going 5-of-7 at the plate to score a team high four runs and bump her career total up to a new program high 130. A Concordia leader for doubles, Bjorlin knocked out a set of two-baggers in the twinbill, both times with the game tied up. She set the table with a double in a comeback 7th inning before a teammate drove a bomb over the fence for the walk-off 5-3 win in the first game. The second baseman’s glove was also key in the win. Bjorlin had seven putouts and eight assists in the games without an error, making a number of fantastic stops to keep the Mustangs off of the paths. On the season, Bjorlin leads CU with a .475 batting average and a .981 fielding mark.
