LONGVIEW, Texas – The 16th-ranked Concordia University Texas baseball team saw its eight-game winning streak come to an end on Saturday, but the Tornados salvaged a doubleheader split against LeTourneau at Conrad-Vernon Field.
The YellowJackets (18-6, 12-5 ASC) scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning of the opener to post a 2-1 walk-off win. Concordia Texas (18-3, 14-2 ASC) scored the only run of the nightcap on a sacrifice fly in the ninth to register a 1-0 victory and even the series.
Scott Weinschenk (5-1) worked eight scoreless panels and allowed only five hits to earn the win in the second contest.
Trey Pledger came on to pitch a scoreless ninth and earn his first save of the season.
Brandon Hollier gave the Tornados the lead in the final stanza with a sacrifice fly to center, which allowed
Tyler Bain to scamper home.
Cameron Cox (5-1) cruised for most of the opening game, but suffered the loss in the come-from-behind victory by LeTourneau.
The right-hander, who allowed only four hits in six-plus innings, hit the leadoff batter of the seventh and then surrendered a double which put two runners in scoring position.
Corey Holmes came on in relief, but was unable to keep the lead.
After
Kyle Rodriguez forced out the runner at third on a fielder's choice, Chris Bertram logged an RBI single that tied the game. Two batters later, Kyle Jacobs placed a single through the right side of the infield that allowed the winning run to cross the plate.
Concordia's offense produced 10 hits on the day, but only one went for extra bases.
Estevan Hernandez had a hit in each contest to extend his hitting streak to 11 games. He registered a double in the first game and a single in the nightcap.
Hollier had two hits in the second game and was the only CTX player to drive in a run. Bain had two singles in the first contest.
Brent Schaekel scored the only run for the Tornados in the opener on a balk by YellowJackets starting pitcher Curt Copeland.
The set is scheduled to conclude with a single game at 1 p.m. Sunday.
