AUSTIN, Texas – Ragan Pope hurled five scoreless innings and Connor Bertsch hit a two-run homer to lead the 16th-ranked Concordia University Texas baseball team to a 6-1 non-conference victory over Schreiner on Tuesday night at Tornado Field.

Bertsch hammered an 0-1 offering in the first inning over the wall in right field to give the Tornados (21-6) an early advantage.

It was all the runs that Pope and the rest of the pitching staff would need.

The southpaw, who improved to 2-0 on the season, fanned four and allowed only two hits in his third consecutive mid-week start. Four relievers pitched an inning apiece and combined to hold the Mountaineers (13-21) to three hits and one run to clinch the win.

Concordia Texas' lineup produced nine hits, including three for extra bases. Jon McManemin and Colton Poindexter each posted a pair of knocks. Poindexter added a triple, stole a base and scored once, while McManemin drove in a run, scored once and also swiped a bag. Kyle Rodriguez was 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI.

Overall, the Tornados stole five bases. Brent Schaekel added to his program record with a pair of steals, while Brandon Hollier also stole once.

Concordia built a 6-0 lead before Schreiner picked up its only tally in the eighth.

Matt Barnett (2-6) received the loss after allowing three runs on three hits in only 1.2 stanzas.

Prior to the game, CTX players met with members of Special Olympics Texas and Down Home Ranch. The athletes joined the Tornados on the field and participated in the ceremonial first pitch.

Concordia will return to conference play this weekend in a three-game set against Howard Payne. First pitch of the series is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at Tornado Field.