BOX SCORE

Austin, Texas – Colin Butschek picked up his fifth straight victory on the mound by hurling his second complete game of the season in leading the Concordia University Texas baseball team to a 3-1 victory over Hardin-Simmons on Friday, March 25 at Tornado Field. The Tornados, who ended the day alone in first place in the American Southwest Conference West Division, scored all three of their runs as the result of two costly Cowboy errors in the outfield.

Hardin-Simmons (18-6, ASC 5-2), which started the evening tied for first in the standings with Concordia, scored the game's first run in the top of the first inning. After Lejuan Edwards and Jay Hiller hit consecutive singles to start the game, Edwards was able to take third on a failed pickoff attempt by Butschek to put runners on the corners with only one out. Hitting with the bases loading following a walk issued to Taylor Berlin, Troy Tarrant came through with an RBI single that dropped in front of a diving Brent Schaekel in center. Butschek, however, got out of further trouble by inducing a double play with the bases loaded to end the inning.

While Butschek continued to hold the league's top offense in check, the Tornado offense was able to push two runs across the board in the bottom of the fourth. Robert Brown walked to start the inning and was moved over to second thanks to a sacrifice bunt by Kyle Bieshcke. With two outs on the board and Brown still on second, the Tornados were able to tie the game when Bryant hit a fly ball that was tracked down but dropped by Hiller in right field. Matt McManemin came through with a clutch single to send home Bryant and give the Tornados their first lead of the game.

One inning later, Concordia (14-9, ASC 6-1) capitalized on another defensive blunder by the Cowboys in the outfield with two outs already on the board. Janssen popped the ball up to shallow center, but it was dropped by Edwards and extended the inning. Brown followed with a single, putting runners on first and third, before starting what was a successful double steal attempt that plated Janssen.

The Cowboys only managed to get one hit in the last four frames against Butschek, while the Tornado defense successfully turned their third double play of the game in the eighth to put a halt to any rally attempt the visitors tried to make. Troy Nicholson struck out swinging to end the game.

Butschek picked up his fifth straight win on as many Friday nights to improve his record to 5-1 this season for Concordia. He allowed 10 hits and one run ,which was earned, while striking out six and issuing just two walks in nine innings of work. Sam Walker took the tough loss, allowing three unearned runs over 6.2 innings to fall to 4-2. He yielded seven hits, issued two walks, and fanned five before being relieved in the seventh.

Concordia and Hardin-Simmons will once again battle for first place in the ASC West Division tomorrow afternoon when they face off for a twinbill beginning at 1 p.m.
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Hardin-Simmons (18-6, ASC 5-2)     100     000     000     1    10   3
Concordia (14-9, ASC 6-1)                  000     210     00x     3     8     1
     Hardin-Simmons: Sam Walker, Parker Robinson (7), Tyler Brunnemann and Cody Jarboe.
     Concordia: Colin Butschek and Collin Janssen.