BOX SCORE

Abilene, Texas – Kyle Bieschke sparked a five-run, third inning rally by going yard for the first time this season as the Concordia University Texas baseball team posted a 7-6 victory over McMurry on Friday, Apr. 13 at Walt Driggers Field. The Tornados, who are now ranked fourth nationally, have won 10 games in a row and remain alone in first place in the American Southwest Conference West Division standings.

McMurry (18-17, ASC 11-5) scored four runs, including three that were unearned, as the result of an uncharacteristic three Tornado errors in the bottom of the second. Nick Marsh drove in two runs on a double down the left field line, while the Warhawks added two more tallies on Tornado defensive miscues in the infield.

Concordia (28-6, ASC 14-2), however, came storming back in the top of the third. Bieschke led off the frame with a homer to left field before Tyler Grygar doubled to the same area on the next play to continue setting the tone. After Matt McManemin and Quinn Guest each drew walks to load the bases, Collin Janssen singled through the left side to slash the deficit to 4-3. Colton Gommert gave the visitors the lead by hitting a bases-loaded single to center that plated Guest and Janssen.

After an infield single by Matt McManemin sent home Brent Schaekel to give the Tornados a 6-4 lead in the fourth, McMurry would tie the game in the bottom of the inning by plating two runs on another error in the infield. But in the top of the sixth, Guest was able to put the visitors ahead again and for good with two runners in scoring position by grounding out to second base. Schaekel was able to score from third on the play before Austin Rupert and Russell Johns combined to keep the hosts off the scoreboard the rest of the way.

Concordia's Rupert earned the victory by hurling 4.1 quality frames of relief. He surrendered only three hits and no runs. Rupert also struck out six and did not walk a batter to improve to 5-1 on the year. Johns picked up his second save of the year after throwing a scoreless ninth with one strikeout. McMurry's Casey Berryman suffered the loss and dropped to 0-1 after giving up two hits and the eventual winning run, which was earned, over 2.1 innings out of the bullpen.

Concordia and McMurry will play a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. tomorrow afternoon.
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Concordia (28-6, ASC 14-2) 005 101 000 7 9 5
McMurry (18-17, ASC 11-5) 040 200 000 6 9 1
Concordia: Scott Hays, Austin Rupert (4), Russell Johns (9) and Collin Janssen.
McMurry: Spencer Smith, Casey Berryman (5), Derek Patterson (7) and Bradd Baker.