AUSTIN, Texas – Matthew Williams allowed only two runs in eight-plus innings and the Concordia Texas baseball team cruised past East Texas Baptist 7-2 in the first day of the American Southwest Conference "Blue Bracket" Tournament on Friday.

Williams came within one out of a complete game outing, allowing only two runs on six hits, while striking out eight Tigers to pick up his seventh win of the season.

After an opening ETBU run in the first, CTX respond with a run each in the second and third innings. Caleb Rodriguez would single and move to second with one out to leadoff. Clarence Guidry III would double off the wall to tie it up at 1-all.

In the third, Reed Carlton would give the Tornados the lead for good with an RBI single up the middle to score Casen Novak.

Concordia Texas would add on with three runs in the fourth, two scoring on a Tigers error, and a pair of runs in the fifth to push their lead to 7-1.

Daniel Williams was one of two Tornados on the night to have a pair of hits, scoring twice.

Leading 7-2 in the ninth, ETBU would threaten with two on and two out, but Caleb Nicholson would come in relief and induce the groundout to end the game as Tornados won 7-2.

Concordia Texas advances to the winner's bracket  of the tournament and will take on UT Tyler, who defeated Ozarks 10-4 in the first game of the day, at 3 p.m. on Saturday from Tornado Field.

More information about all tournament games, include stats, video and more can be found on our tournament central page here.