AUSTIN, Texas – Bret Leiferman and Grayson Lee each had four hits in the two-game set, leading the way for the Concordia Texas baseball team as they split the pair of games with Mary Hardin-Baylor on Sunday.
 
Leiferman had a 4-for-7 weekend at the plate, scoring three runs while also driving in three and blasting a homerun in game two. Lee also went 4-for-7 at the dish, picking up two RBI and a pair of doubles.
 
Game one began on Saturday, but an extended weather delay suspended play in the sixth inning while the Tornados trailed 7-0. The teams completed the last two innings on Sunday, ending with the CTX on the wrong side of an 8-1 score.
 
The first two innings did not see any runs from either side, the two teams combining for only two hits, but Mary Hardin-Baylor broke the tie in the third when they exploded for a five-run inning. The Cru strung together four hits and a pair of walks in the inning, ending with a two-RBI single to put them ahead 5-0.
 
Mary Hardin-Baylor added another run in the top of the fourth with an RBI double, extending their lead to 6-0.
 
In the top of the sixth, UMHB delivered another RBI single, bringing the score to 7-0.
 
In the bottom half of the inning, a two-out double from Owen Hill got the CTX offense going, and back-to-back walks from EJ Sanchez and Mason Dubois loaded the bases. Just as the Tornados were gaining momentum, the weather delay began and pushed the remainder of the game to the next day, which saw a pop out end the sixth inning without a run scored. Heading into the final inning, the Tornados trailed 7-0.
 
An RBI groundout in the top of the seventh gave the Cru another insurance run, bringing the score to 8-0.
 
The Tornados came to the plate with one final opportunity in the bottom half of the inning. Dylan Ivy led off with a single and eventually scored on an RBI double off the bat of Lee, but a groundout followed and ended the game. The Tornados lost game one by a score of 8-1.
 
Concordia Texas found their offensive footing in game two, totaling 11 hits with five of them for extra bases. Seven pitcher appeared in relief for the Tornados, combining for seven innings of shutout baseball. The Tornados took the regular season finale over UMHB 8-1.
 
Noah Pendergrass picked up the win on the mound, fanning two Cru batters in his scoreless fifth inning. Calvin Bush also picked up a pair of strikeouts in the third inning as the first Tornado to have his name called out of the bullpen.
 
The Tornados were able to put a number on the scoreboard early as Sanchez singled and Leiferman followed with a two-run blast over the right field wall, giving the Tornados a 2-0 advantage in the first inning.
 
In the following frame, a sacrifice fly provided UMHB's only run of the game, making it a 2-1 game in the top of the second.
 
Concordia Texas answered in the bottom half of the inning, adding another run to their total. Kalen Moreno picked up a one-out single, and Dylan Ivy followed with a double down the left field line, putting runners at second and third and setting the table for a sacrifice fly from Dalton Watts. After two innings of play, CTX led 3-1.
 
After a few quiet innings, the Tornados broke the game open with a four-run fifth inning. Casen Novak sparked the offense with a leadoff double, coming around to score on an RBI single from Leiferman. After stealing second, Leiferman crossed the plate on when Lee peppered an RBI single to right field, and a two-RBI double from Shawn Huber capped off the Tornados' big inning. With the offensive outburst, CTX extended their lead to 7-1.
 
The Tornados tacked another run onto their total in the seventh when Leiferman led off with a double and Marcus Thach delivered an RBI single up the middle. After seven innings, CTX held an 8-1 advantage.
 
Michael Smith slammed the door on UMHB in the ninth, stranding a leadoff hit and picking up a strikeout. The Tornados ended the regular season with an 8-1 win.
 
After the game, Concordia Texas took time to honor the 16 seniors who are part of the program. This group consists of Brian Brenchley, Calvin Bush, Ryan Clouse, Nick Flores, Bret Leiferman, Daniel Lewis, Colton Hunter, Marcus Thach, Matthew Williams, Michael Smith, Trey Toney, Dalton Watts, Ian Perez, Noah Pendergrass, Casen Novak, and Owen Hill. The Tornados recognized these seniors for their dedication and success to the program.
 
With the conclusion of the regular season, the Tornados now look forward to the American Southwest Conference Tournament. Concordia Texas will open the tournament on Thursday with a first-round matchup with Mary Hardin-Baylor at 11 a.m. in Richardson, Texas where UT Dallas will host the blue bracket.