GAME ONE BOX SCORE

GAME TWO BOX SCORE

Brownwood, Texas - Jessica Rattan clubbed a three-run homer in the top of the seventh in the opener to key a comeback and Teylor Schiefelbein hurled a no-hitter in the nightcap as the Concordia University Texas softball team swept a doubleheader against Howard Payne on Friday, Apr. 15 at Lady Jacket Field. The Tornados, who rallied late to win the first game, 6-5, before taking the second by an 8-0 decision in six innings, ended the day tied for second place and are on the verge of clinching a playoff berth.

Concordia (22-12, ASC 13-5), which needs to split tomorrow's doubleheader against the same opponent to qualify for the American Southwest Conference Tournament, took advantage of two defensive miscues by the Yellow Jackets to score twice in the top of the first in the opener. Batting with two outs, Rattan was able to drive in Lauren Vansickle from third, due to an error by the third baseman, before Erin Duhon followed with a single on the next play.

The Tornados added an insurance run in the third due to another error by the Yellow Jacket defense. Rattan, the squad's leadoff hitter in the frame, was able to take second due to a blunder by the Howard Payne center fielder. The senior was moved over to third on the next play and was then driven in by Meghan Ferrell, who grounded out to the pitcher.

Howard Payne (12-22, ASC 10-10), however, answered back with three unearned runs of its own in the bottom of the fifth before taking the lead in the sixth. Batting with two outs and a pair of runners in scoring position, Kimble Luna capitalized on an error in the Tornado outfield to make it a 3-2 game. She scored the tying run on the next play thanks to a double to left center by Ashley Silva. One inning later, a Tylene Middleton RBI single gave the hosts their first lead.

With their backs against the wall, the Tornados were able to regain the lead for good in the top of the seventh. After Vicky Recek reached on a bunt single and Jordan Berry was issued a walk, Rattan rocketed a three-run homer that gave the visitors a 6-4 lead. Teshia Krause, who relieved Kat Moreno in the sixth, got herself in some trouble in the bottom of the inning, but she was able to recover and induce a flyout to Rattan at short to end the game.

Krause was credited with the win for Concordia and improved to 2-0 overall. She gave up three hits and one run that was unearned. Howard Payne's Kayla Castillo, who relieved Baillie Trumble in the fifth, went three innings and was tagged with the loss for yielding five hits and three runs. Her record dropped to 2-8.

Concordia also drew first blood in the third inning of the nightcap, as Berry blasted her first career home run following a Teylor Schiefelbein single down the right field line. Alexis Lynn later doubled to lead off the fourth and would score on a sacrifice fly by Vansickle, making it 3-0 in favor of the visitors. An RBI single by Ferrell gave the squad a four-run cushion through five frames.

The Tornados would double their lead in the sixth to take an 8-0 lead. Lynn, who was 4-for-4 in the game, capped the scoring with a two-run single after Schiefelbein and Rattan drove in runs earlier in the frame. Alex Smith was able to end the game due to the eight-run rule through six innings by gunning down Abby Hinojos, who was trying to steal third, for the final out.

By hurling her first career no-hitter, Schiefelbein improved her record to 11-5. The true freshman issued two walks, fanned four and only allowed one ball to leave the infield. Howard Payne's Haleigh Callaway suffered the defeat and fell to 8-4 after surrendering 17 hits and eight runs, which were all earned, while striking out two.

Concordia and Howard Payne will play another doubleheader tomorrow beginning at noon.
-agate-
Concordia                                                 201     000     3     6     8     1
Howard Payne                                         000     031     1     5    10    4
     Concordia: Kat Moreno, Teshia Krause (6) and Alex Smith.
     Howard Payne: Baillie Trumble, Kayla Castillo (5) and Brittany Johnson.

Concordia (22-12, ASC 13-5)               002     114     8    17    0
Howard Payne (12-22, ASC 10-10)     000     000     0     0     0
(Game ended after six innings due to eight-run rule)
     Concordia: Teylor Schiefelbein and Alex Smith.
     Howard Payne: Haleigh Caraway and Brittany Johnson.