AUBURNDALE, FL - The Concordia Texas baseball team outlasted Concordia-Chicago by a score of 9-8 in day one of the Russmatt Invitational. Otto Franz was firing on all cylinders with eight strikeouts and only one run allowed in 6.0 innings at Northeast Regional Park on Friday morning.

Neither team found much of an offensive rhythm in the first three innings. Mason Vazquez kicked things off for CTX in the top of the fourth with a RBI-single to score Kalen Clark. Matthew Armes would follow with a two-RBI single up the middle of the diamond to bring home EJ Sanchez & Vazquez. Capping off the strong inning was Zach Seigrist with a RBI, scoring Armes.

The Cougars scored their first run in the bottom of the fourth, but CTX upped their lead to 5-1 with an Aaron Gomez sac-bunt to assist Armes home in the sixth frame. Concordia-Chicago showed some life at the plate by notching a trio of runs in the seventh to make it 5-4.

Julian Swift made the score 6-4 with one swing to bring home Gomez in the eighth inning. In the top of the ninth, the Tornados added three insurance runs that ultimately proved to be much needed. Seigrist launched a RBI-double to left field to cross Sanchez & Bailey Figueroa. Later in the inning, he would then score himself following an error. The Cougars posted four hits and four runs, but Noah Kelley struck out the final batter and left the bases loaded to end the game.

Concordia Texas will remain in the Sunshine State and compete in a doubleheader against Ohio Northern University on day two of the Russmatt Invitational. First pitch is set for 4:15 p.m.

BOX SCORE STANDOUTS
Otto Franz 6.0 IP, 8 Ks, 1 ER, W
Zach Seigrist 3 Hits, 3 RBIs, 1 Run
Matthew Armes 2 RBIs, 2 Runs, 1 Hit
Mason Vasquez 3 Hits, 1 RBI, 1 Run
Aaron Gomez 2 Hits, 1 RBI, 1 Run, 2 BB