BOX SCORE

AUSTIN, Texas – Josh Smith struck out nine in 7 2/3 innings of work Friday night in Concordia Texas' dramatic 1-0 victory at Tornado Field.

Smith, Ty Bratton and Justin Traxler combined for the shutout effort. Smith allowed just five hits and did not surrender a walk. Meanwhile, Bratton worked one inning, yielding a hit while Justin Traxler allowed an intentional walk and then retired the game's final batter to earn his second save of the year.

Connor Bertsch tripled with two down in the bottom of the second and came to score on a balk. It proved to be the game's only contest. Jake Valadez went 2-for-4 and was the only player for either side to record multiple hits.

The Tornados had a chance to break the game open with the bases loaded in the fifth, but they were unable to score thanks to some clutch pitching from YellowJackets' starter Andrew Harlan.

Harlan went seven innings, yielding five hits and a pair of walks while striking out seven.

These two squads will resume the series tomorrow starting at 1 p.m. CTX will recognize its seniors in between the doubleheader. Following the senior day festivities, the Tornados will hold a golf ball drop with proceeds benefiting Maddie's Mission.