PINEVILLE, La. – Cameron Cox and
Kiel Harmon combined to allow only two runs, and the Concordia University Texas baseball team swept a doubleheader from Louisiana College to close out the American Southwest Conference (ASC) series on Saturday at Billy Allgood Field.
With the series sweep, the Tornados are off to the best start in program history at 9-1. Concordia Texas also stayed unbeaten in league action at 6-0.
The Tornados used only three pitchers in the doubleheader.
Cox (3-0) limited the Wildcats (1-8, 0-6 ASC) to one run on six hits in the a complete-game effort in the opener. The right-hander also fanned seven.
Harmon (2-0) then allowed only four hits and one run while fanning three in seven innings in the nightcap.
Corey Holmes hurled a pair of scoreless frames in relief of Harmon to pick up his first save of the year.
It wasn't all about the pitching on the final day of the set. Concordia's offense was clutch, scoring all 11 runs with two outs.
The Tornados tallied 16 hits in the doubleheader.
Kyle Rodriguez led the way with five hits, including two doubles, and five RBIs.
Brandon Hollier extended his hitting streak to six games after registering two singles in the opener and one in the nightcap.
In the first game, CTX built a 5-0 lead through five innings. The Wildcats managed their lone tally in the seventh, as Jermaine Liggins drove in Garrett Parsons with a two-out double to right center.
The Tornados broke a 1-1 tie in the nightcap after
Colton Poindexter laced a run-scoring single into center field, which chased
Kyle Rodriguez in from third base.
Concordia never looked back, as the visitors plated an insurance run in the eighth and three more in the ninth.
Madison Lachney (0-3) surrendered five runs (two earned) on seven hits during a complete-game effort while taking a loss in the opening contest.
Shea Ourso (0-1) allowed four hits and a pair of runs in 4.2 stanzas in the finale.
The Tornados will return to action on Friday, March 7, as the squad hosts the first of three games against Texas-Dallas. The ASC series opens is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at Tornado Field.
