BOX SCORE

Brownwood, Texas – Brent Schaekel recorded three hits, including two doubles, and scored twice in leading the Concordia University Texas baseball team to a 9-2 victory over Howard Payne in the American Southwest Conference opener for both teams on Friday, March 8 at Don Shepard Park.

Concordia (8-10, ASC 1-0) scored at least once in each of the first four innings and never looked back. Schaekel set the tone early by doubling down the line in left on the first play of the game and came home to score on a sacrifice fly by Andrew Burns. Guest and Schaekel then followed up with RBI hits for extra bases on a triple and double, respectively, to make it 3-0.

After the Yellow Jackets scored their first run in the bottom of the second, the Tornados added two runs in the third on Chance Leissner and Tyler Bain RBI singles and added another in the fourth that was driven in by Jon McManemin to build up a 6-1 advantage and pull away. Trevor Harlos drew a bases-loaded walk to cap the scoring for the visitors in the top of the eighth.

Concordia's Austin Rupert picked up the win and improved his record to 2-1. He pitched six innings of relief and allowed just one run to score while striking out six and not issuing a walk. Corey Howie suffered the loss for Howard Payne (12-8, ASC 0-1) and fell to 2-2 after yielding seven hits and six runs, which were all earned, and issuing four free passes to first.

Concordia and Howard Payne wrap up the three-game series when they play a doubleheader tomorrow. The first game is scheduled to start at noon.
-agate-
Concordia (8-10, ASC 1-0)            122     101     020     9    10    2
Howard Payne (12-8, ASC 0-1)     010     000     010     2     6     0
     Concordia: Brandon Garwood, Trey Pledger (3), Austin Rupert (4) and Tyler Bain, Matt Smith (6).
     Howard Payne: Corey Howie, Reed Klose (5), Mitchell Marquis (8), Dustin Kelver (8), Ethan Ferrel (8), Tyler Gaddis (9) and Alan Sailors.