AUSTIN, Texas – The Concordia Softball team, led by Brittani Whitten's six hits on the day, split a doubleheader against Howard Payne on Thursday afternoon.

In the first game, Shelby Burrus (10-9) pitched a complete game shutout as she only allowed three hits over the seven innings, while striking out seven Yellow Jackets for the win.

Brittani Whitten, meanwhile, tallied three hits, driving in all three of CTX's runs in the game. Emma Martino scored twice and Payton Walker had a pair of hits for the Tornados.

CTX grabbed the early 1-0 lead in the first on an RBI double by Whitten as Martino led off the inning with a single.

Burrus was in control from the start, facing only one over the minimum through four innings. In the fifth, would get two quick strikeouts and then loaded the bases, but was able to escape with a ground out to second.

Whitten would push the Tornados lead to 3-0 with a two-run single in the bottom half of the inning. The run support was more than enough as Burrus did not allow a hit in the final two innings to seal the 3-0 win.

In game two, CTX would score eight runs on 13 hits, but came up short losing a back-and-forth game 9-8 to HPU.

Ryan Gibson and Whitten each had three hits in the game, as eight different Tornados scored a run in the game.

After the first three innings, the game was tied after an RBI triple in the first by Whitten, followed by a two-run single in the third by Haley Dennett.

CTX would pull ahead in the fifth with a  four-run inning to make it 7-5, but the Yellow Jackets responded with their own four-run in the top half of the sixth and retook the lead at 9-8.

Shelby Harper led off the bottom half of the inning with a single and would come around to score on an RBI double by Walker to pull within 9-8, but a ground out ended the threat. HPU would retire the side in order in the seventh to take the second game of the day.

The Tornados will play the rubber game of the series on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Tornado Softball Field.