BOX SCORE

AUSTIN, Texas – The Concordia Texas Tornados dropped game one of a three-game set against Concordia Chicago Thursday evening at Tornado Field 9-6.

The Cougars (9-3) scored five in the top of the second, sending nine to the plate, yielding six hits.

The Tornados (10-9) answered back in the home half of the frame on Gareth Hutton's two-run, two-out homer.

CUC had the bases loaded in the top of the third. After CTX made the call to the bullpen, reliever Trey Pledger allowed just one more to cross as a fantastic toss from Michael Evan in left to Colton Poindexter at third prevented any further damage.

The Tornados added two more in the home half of the seventh on a two-run single from DH-turned-reliever Jake Valadez.

CTX was able to put the runners at the corners in the eighth and scored a run on a balk to draw the home squad within one. Valadez came to bat in the frame with the potential go-ahead run at first. He would draw a walk on a 3-2 pitch and set the stage for Poindexter, who was robbed of a possible two-RBI hit by Joe Silva on a diving catch in right.

CUC loaded the bases on a hit batter and two CTX errors with no one out in the top of the ninth. Brady Roberts made the Tornados pay with a two-run single to make it 9-6 Cougars. Luckily, the Tornado defense turned two to avoid more trouble.

CTX relievers allowed the two unearned runs but otherwise held the CUC to just two hits and a walk.

Connor Bertsch led off the bottom of the ninth with a walk. After CUC went to the bullpen, closer Brian Musielak sent the Tornados down in order with a pair of strikeouts and caught Bertsch trying to steal to end the contest.

The Cougars return to action tomorrow at 7 p.m. against Howard Payne at Tornado Field. The Tornados resume their battle with CUC Saturday at 2 p.m.