ST. PAUL, Minn.- The Concordia-St. Paul softball team (4-1, 0-0 NSIC) is set to travel to Wayne, Neb. to compete in the ESU Classic Tri-Quad this weekend. The tournament was originally scheduled to be held in Emporia, Kan. but was moved after severe winter weather affected the area.  

Nevertheless, Head Coach Bob Bartel commented on the situation with excitement. "We're looking forward to playing outdoors," he said, "and the challenges that come with playing outside that first time in the spring." 

CSP SCHEDULE 
Previously scheduled to play six games in three days against six different teams, the adjusted schedule now has the Bears playing five games in three days against Newman (Kan.) and Truman State (Mo.). 

Friday 

Concordia-St. Paul vs. Truman State - 2 p.m. 

Saturday 

Concordia-St. Paul vs. Newman - 12 p.m. 

Concordia-St. Paul vs Truman State - 2 p.m. 

Sunday 

Concordia-St. Paul vs. Newman - 11 a.m. 

Concordia-St. Paul vs Truman State - 1 p.m. 

TOURNAMENT PREVIEW 
Ahead of the tournament, Head Coach Bob Bartel commented, "We're hoping to build off our previous success in early February and continue to improve as we face some quality teams." 

The Bears previously went 4-1 in the Dome Tournament run to get the season started and the coaching staff was "extremely happy with how our whole team contributed when called upon" in Mankato. 

Along with continued efforts and solid performances by the pitching staff to keep the Golden Bears in games, Coach Bartel hopes to see some more consistent play on defense. 

SERIES HISTORY: CSP 3, Truman State 2 
Concordia holds a one-game lead over Truman State (0-0, 0-0 GLVC) in the all-time series history, a victory earned in the most recent meeting between the two teams. Truman State has not competed yet in the 2022 season and is positioned to face Wayne State (Neb.) in the ESU Classic to start their season and the tournament. 

The Bears are currently on a three-game win streak against the Bulldogs dating back to March, 2006. All three consecutive wins have come at neutral sites, twice in St. Joseph, Mo. and most recently in Rochester, Minn. in February, 2013 where the Bears were victorious 1-0. 

SERIES HISTORY: CSP 0, Newman 0 
The meeting between Concordia and Newman (2-2, 0-0 MIAA) at the ESU Classic will be the first meeting on record between the two teams. Newman is scheduled to play four tournament games before facing CSP, with the most recent being a matchup against Quincy (Ill.). 

Newman has split their season so far, having four games against East Central postponed. The Jets collected a pair of wins over Friends University (Kan.) before dropping two games to Northwestern Oklahoma State. 

Following the Wayne State Tournament, the Golden Bears will see just a short time off before making the trip to Florida to compete in the spring games. The Bears will face ten teams from all across the country in five days.