TYLER, Texas – In a matchup of two of the top teams in the American Southwest Conference, the Concordia Texas softball team dropped a 2-0 pitchers duel against UT Tyler Tuesday night at Suddenlink Field.
 
Jorden Russell gave up no runs and two hits after the second inning, but the CTX offense was unable to push any runs across as the Tornados fell to 6-5, 5-2 ASC.
 
Russell, a junior from Leander, Texas, allowed six hits, two runs and struck out two over 6.0 innings of work in the circle but gave up single runs in both the first and second innings in the loss.
 
The Patriots jumped on the board in the first inning thanks to three straight singles. The lead could have been 2-0 if not for a stellar throw from right field by Brittani Whitten to gun down the runner trying to score.
 
In the second, UT Tyler would again threaten by loading the bases with nobody out. After a hit batter brought home a run, Russell induced two lineouts and a fielder's choice groundout to get out of the jam allowing just a run.
 
The biggest scoring threat for CTX came in the third when the Tornados loaded the bases with one out at Whitten at the plate. The senior from Roseville, Calif., unfortunately was unable to bring home the run, however, thanks to a fantastic play by the shortstop to throw out Alexia Rowe at the plate. Russell then bounced into a fielder's choice to end the inning.
 
CTX put multiple runners on base in the third, sixth and seventh innings but could not bring a run in and were shutout for just the second time this season.
 
The series with UT Tyler will continue with a doubleheader Wednesday beginning at 1:00 p.m.