BOX SCORE

Austin, Texas – Collin Janssen went 2-for-2 with one run scored, but it wasn't enough, as the Concordia University Texas baseball team fell by a 3-1 score to Louisiana College in a first round game in the American Southwest Conference Tournament on Friday, April 29 at Tornado Field. The Wildcats took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series by escaping with the two-run victory.

Louisiana College (26-15) got on the board first in the top of the third when Stephen Davis tripled and came home two plays later when Chris Waguespack grounded out to pitcher Colin Butschek. The Tornados, however, were able to get the equalizer before the first out could be recorded in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI double by Robert Brown. Collin Janssen singled to start the inning and was pushed across for the tying run after moving into scoring position on a wild pitch.

A pitcher's duel between Justin Reed and Butschek continued until the Wildcats went ahead by scoring twice in the seventh. Jordan Marks hit an RBI single to give the visitors the advantage and scored on a Mike Doughty groundout to second with the bases loaded later in the frame.

Concordia (25-15), which earned a share of the West Division title for the third time in program history, had its chances and was able to put its leadoff hitter on base in the eighth and ninth frames courtesy of singles by Matt McManemin and Janssen, respectively. However, reliever Dustin Fulks was able to get out of each inning unscathed by inducing three groundouts and fanning three hitters, including C.J. Riojas to end the game.

Butschek suffered the loss and dropped to 7-3 on the season after surrendering eight hits and three runs, which were all earned, over 6.1 innings. He also recorded five strikeouts and issued two walks. Reed improved to 2-1 on the season for Louisiana College by picking up the victory. He allowed eight hits and one run over seven innings while fanning one hitter and issuing only one walk. Fulks was credited with his second save of the season by yielding just one hit and registering three strikeouts over two scoreless frames.

Concordia and Louisiana College will conclude the best-of-three series tomorrow afternoon beginning at 2 p.m. The Wildcats will advance to next weekend's double-elimination championship round at the site of the highest remaining seed in the East Division with a victory, while the Tornados will have to win the second game of the series to force a decisive rubber match later in the day.
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Louisiana College (26-15)     001     000     200     3     9     0
Concordia (25-15)                    000     100     000     1     9     1
     Louisiana College: Justin Reed, Dustin Fulks (8) and Chris Waguespack.
     Concordia: Colin Butschek, Ryan Ullmann (7) and Collin Janssen.