Austin, Texas – The Concordia University Texas baseball team begins its 2011 season when it hosts Southwestern on Saturday, Feb. 5. The first game of the doubleheader is slated to start at 3 p.m. A live audio broadcast as well as live stats will be available for fans who can't make the games.

Concordia (0-0), which was predicted to finish sixth in the American Southwest Conference West Division, ushers in head coach Tommy Boggs' second season looking to improve on last year's 15-24 ledger overall and 8-13 mark in ASC play. Pedro Maldonado, an all-conference second team selection last season, is the top returner. The senior outfielder led the Tornados with a .427 batting average, which ranked fifth in the ASC, and also finished with a team-best 47 hits as well as 23 RBI. Justin Beasley, who was honorably mentioned for All-ASC honors in 2010, was the only Tornado to start every game last season. The third baseman ended the spring with a .329 batting average to go along with a team-leading 29 RBI, seven doubles and three home runs. Colin Butschek is expected to be the team's top hurler. He finished with a 4-6 record, a 7.43 earned run average and fanned 39 batters in 46 innings of work last season.

Southwestern (0-0) was tabbed third among five teams in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Preseason Poll after posting a 13-26 overall record and a 6-14 mark in league play last year. The veteran team with nine seniors on its roster is expected to be led by first baseman Kyle Belski and pitcher Brantley Freeman. Belski was honorably mentioned for 2010 All-SCAC accolades. The senior ranked second on the squad with a .352 batting average and 26 RBI, while his .500 on-base percentage was tops on the team. Freeman, who was injured for most of the 2010 season, is back at full strength for the Pirates this spring. As a sophomore in 2009, he was honorably mentioned for All-SCAC honors by posting a 5-3 ledger and a 3.82 ERA in 12 appearances. Sophomore Charlie Garrett was honorably mentioned for All-SCAC honors last year after finishing with a .365 average, 30 runs scored, four triples and 30 RBI. All four marks were team highs.

The Tornados own a 9-3 advantage in the all-time series, which included a three-game sweep over the Pirates in Georgetown last season. Beasley went 6-for-14 with 11 RBI, which included clubbing a grand slam in the opener, to lead the Tornados in the matchup.

Game Information (Saturday, Feb. 5)
2:50 p.m. Pregame
3:00 p.m. Concordia vs. Southwestern (Game 1, 7 innings)
*6:00 p.m. Concordia vs. Southwestern (Game 2, 9 innings)

*Time approximate

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