BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - The Concordia Baseball team hung for 6.1 innings with fifth-ranked Birmingham Southern, but the Panthers would score five runs in the eighth inning to take game one of the series 13-5 on Friday night.

Justin Traxler got the start for the Tornados and benefited from his team's four-run top-of-the-seventh outburst that tied the game at 5-5. But after getting the first batter in the bottom of the seventh on a ground out, Traxler (1-2) gave up two singles and a walk before giving way to reliever Sean Matthews. Tyler Wise greeted Matthews with an RBI single; Sam Roberts was hit by a pitch, bringing home another run; and, Tyler Hamel slapped an RBI single to give BSC an 8-5 advantage.

After CTX failed to score in the top of the eighth, the Panthers would take advantage of two CTX hurlers for five more runs in their half of the inning – including a grand slam by Tyler Wise – to create the 13-5 margin of victory.

Trailing 5-2, the Tornados struck for three runs in the seventh to tie the game at 5-all. Luke Kress doubled to open the frame. One out later, Colton Poindexter  walked before Bret Leiferman ripped a two-run double, plating Kress and Poindexter. Two batters later, a BSC error allowed Leiferman to score, tying the game at 5-5.

Traxler gave up eight runs, seven earned, on nine hits, walking two and striking out four in 6.1 innings. The Tornados bullpen was touched up for five runs on five hits in just 1.2 innings, walking one and striking out two.

Leiferman led the team with his two RBI while scoring once. Jake Valadez; Race Mellman; and, Poindexter all drove in one run each.

The two squads will meet up for game two of the series at 1 p.m on Saturday.