Tyler, TX- The Concordia University Baseball program finished 2-1 in the University of Texas at Tyler's Easton Classic this Friday and Saturday. On Friday, Concordia split dropping a 6-5 game to UT-Dallas before defeating the 12th nationally ranked UT-Tyler, 5-3 at Irwin Field. On Saturday, Concordia fought back against the UT-Dallas Comets to pick up an 8-6 victory.

During Saturday's game the Tornados jumped out to an early 3-0 lead after Chad Thielepape doubled in the first inning scoring three for Concordia.

The scoring continued for Concordia in the second innings as Stephen Szkotak led off with a single and eventually scored. Senior Pre-Season Co-Player of the Year, Tom Williams singled up the middle driving in another run giving them the 5-0 lead after two complete.

The score remained 5-0 until the Comets got on the board in the fifth inning scoring off a Tornado error.

Williams picked up another RBI single in the seventh inning before, Brian Wernecke doubled driving in the final two Tornado runs. Concordia led 8-3 going into the bottom of the ninth.

The Comets made things interesting in the ninth, scoring three runs on four hits although that wasn't enough as Concordia took the 8-6 victory.

Leading the way for the Tornados in the Easton Classic was senior Tom Williams with five hits, including a double and a homerun. Williams also drove in three RBIs during the Classic.

Top pitcher for the Tornados was Micheal Johson, who picked up his first win in the Concordia purple and gold against UT-Tyler. Johnson allowed three hits in 21 at bats and allowed only one earned run in six innings.

Concordia baseball is now 2-1 overall to start the 2009 season.

Concordia will host their home opener on Wednesday February 11th at the Dell Diamond in Round Rock, TX. Game time is set for 12:00pm.