BOX SCORE 1 | BOX SCORE 2 AUSTIN, Texas -- The Concordia Texas softball team dropped a pair of one-run contests Friday evening to open up a three-game set against ASC-foe Hardin-Simmons. Haley Dennett led the Tornados at the plate, going a combined 4-for-8 with two runs scored.

GAME ONE - HSU 2, CTX 1

All of the scoring happened in the first inning in a pitcher's duel. The Cowgirls (6-6. 2-6 ASC) scored their first run on a CTX error. M.J. Ledkins then drove in HSU's second tally on an RBI single.

The Tornados (4-9, 1-7 ASC) got one of those runs back in the home half of the first on an RBI groundout from Ryan Gibson.

After the first inning, both pitchers cruised through the remaining six innings. Shelby Burrus suffered the loss, but allowed just one earned run in the complete-game effort .She struck out six while walking only one and gave up nine hits.

The CTX defense was able to strand eight HSU runners in the opener.

The Tornados tagged Tori Rodriguez for one run on four hits in seven innings. Rodriguez struck out three and walked three in the winning effort.

GAME TWO - HSU 5, CTX 4

Concordia showed some life in the final two innings of the nightcap Friday at Tornado Softball Field, scoring all four of their runs on seven hits. Prior to that, Hardin-Simmons pitcher Lara Ammermann cruised through the first five innings and had dealt a four-hit shutout.

The Tornados seemed inspired after reliever Noey Ruiz had left the bases full of Cowgirls in the top half of the sixth, working out of a huge jam with no damage. Trailing 5-0, Concordia began a hit parade in the sixth that would yield three runs.

Brooke Jones and Samantha Zamarripa had the RBI knocks in the inning while Makayla Nance came across on an HSU error.

Ruiz posted a 1-2-3 top of the seventh. Haley Dennett led off the bottom of the seventh with a triple down the right field line. She later scored on a one-out RBI double from Ryan Gibson. Gibson, representing the tying run, worked her way to third on a wild pitch. Ammermann then retired the next two batters.

Hardin-Simmons used two home runs to get past Concordia in the nightcap. Christa Garcia's two-run shot in the fifth made it a 5-0 contest at that point and proved to be the game-winning hit.

Sydney Coffey suffered the loss for the Torandos.

CTX will look to snap a three-game skid tomorrow at noon against HSU. Fans are encouraged to arrive early for a special dedication ceremony. Due to events in the lot near the field, parking will be restricted to the large, main lot.