ALPINE, Texas – The eighth-ranked Concordia University Texas baseball team scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning to defeat Sul Ross State, 4-2, in the American Southwest Conference series opener on Friday night at Kokernot Field.
The Tornados (26-8, 20-4 ASC), who remained atop the conference standings with the victory, rallied from a 2-1 deficit to overcome the Lobos (18-17, 14-11 ASC).
Garrett Benyo hit a solo home run in the top of the seventh to help Concordia Texas pull even.
Connor Bertsch then started the ninth with a single to center field. Bertsch was moved around to third base, as
Race Mellman reached first on a throwing error. Mellman then broke for second, drawing a throw, which allowed Bertsch to swipe home and give the Tornados a 3-2 lead.
Gareth Hutton followed with a single to right field, driving in Mellman from second base.
Justin Traxler, who came on in the eighth, allowed a leadoff single in the ninth and then retired the next three batters to secure the victory. The right-hander, who improved to 3-1 on the season, gave up two hits and struck out three.
A.T. Rivera (1-1) suffered the loss after allowing two unearned runs and two hits in two innings of relief.
The two teams will close out the series with a doubleheader at 1 p.m. Saturday.
