GAME ONE BOX SCORE

GAME TWO BOX SCORE

Belton, Texas – Kat Moreno went the distance in the circle and Vicky Recek delivered the eventual game-winning hit in the first game as the Concordia University Texas softball team concluded its regular season by splitting a twinbill with Mary Hardin-Baylor on Friday, Apr. 22 at Dee Dillon Field. The Tornados, who will make their second consecutive appearance in the American Southwest Conference Tournament next week, came within one out of becoming the only school to sweep the Crusaders on their home field this spring by winning the opener, 5-3, and dropping the nightcap by a 3-2 score.

In the opener, Mary Hardin-Baylor (28-12, ASC 21-3) capitalized on a Tornado infield error in which a run was forced after a routine popup for what could have been the third out was dropped. Caitlin Bollier, who advanced to third on the defensive miscue, would score a second Crusader run on a Hannah White RBI single one play later. Moreno got out of the inning by inducing a groundout.

Concordia, however, rallied with five runs in the top of the fourth against Crusader ace Erica White to build a three-run cushion. Jessica Rattan blasted a single to third and was sacrificed over to second by Erin Duhon. After the bases got loaded up on walks issued to Jordan Berry and Alex Smith, Meghan Ferrell recorded the first of four straight singles to put the Tornados ahead. Teylor Schiefelbein, Recek and Lauren Vansickle also had RBI hits during the stretch.

The Crusaders made a major threat to come away with a walkoff win in the bottom of the seventh, which began with a bases-loaded RBI single by Bollier with two outs that trimmed the lead to two. But with the bases still loaded and White, the team's top power hitter, at the plate, Moreno punched out the slugger on a 3-2 pitch that was up and outside to end the game.

Moreno improved to 10-9 on the season with the victory for Concordia. She surrendered seven hits and three runs, including one earned, over the seven innings while striking out three and issuing two walks. Mary Hardin-Baylor's White, who entered the game having given up nine earned runs all season, dropped to 16-2 with the loss. She yielded a season-high five runs, which were all earned, as well as nine hits over six innings of work. The loss put an end to the team's 14-game home winning streak at Dee Dillon Field.

Concordia's Teylor Schiefelbein and Mary Hardin-Baylor's Ariel Kemmerer took center stage in a pitcher's duel for the second time in as many days in the nightcap. Following five scoreless innings, the Tornados were able to get on the board with two outs in the sixth when Rattan sent a bomb way over the fence in left center with Moreno on first to make it a 2-0 game.

Schiefelbein had the two-run lead to work with heading into the bottom of the seventh, but the Cru were able to score three times to avoid being swept at home for the first time this season. After Meghan Bohne led off the frame with a solo home run to left, the Crusaders were able to place runners at second and third with one out on a double by White followed by a Jordan Schrutka single. Schiefelbein induced a grounder to Duhon at third for the innings second out, but Kirstie Curry came through in a pinch-hit role by belting a walkoff single to right that plated two runs.

Schiefelbein fell to 12-7 on the year after suffering the loss for Concordia. She allowed nine hits and three runs, which were all earned, over 6.2 frames. Kemmerer of Mary Hardin-Baylor earned the victory and upped her record to 8-5 after allowing only four hits and two runs.

Concordia (24-16, ASC 15-9) will appear in the double-elimination ASC Tournament as the third seed in the West Division beginning on Thursday, Apr. 28 at 12 p.m. against an opponent to be determined.
-agate-
Concordia                                                      000     500     0     5    10    2
Mary Hardin-Baylor                                       002     000     1     3     7     1
     Concordia: Kat Moreno and Alex Smith.
     Mary Hardin-Baylor: Erica White, Kirstie Curry (7) and Chandler Henson.

Concordia (24-16, 15-9 ASC)                     000     002     0     2     4     0
Mary Hardin-Baylor (28-12, 21-3 ASC)      000     000     3     3     9     1
     Concordia: Teylor Schiefelbein and Alex Smith.
     Mary Hardin-Baylor: Ariel Kemmerer and Chandler Henson.