MARSHALL, Texas -The Concordia Texas softball team opened the 2025 season with a pair of hard-fought battles against No. 6-ranked East Texas Baptist inside Bell Park on Saturday. The Tornados showcased their firepower and resilience, with Molly Olivarez making a major impact, including a three-run homer in Game 2.
GAME ONE: (L, 5-4)
The Tornados wasted no time proving they could compete with one of the nation's best, going toe-to-toe with ETBU in a thrilling opener.
Olivarez led the charge, going 3-for-4 at the plate, including a crucial third-inning single. That set the stage for Kylie Denaro, who ripped an RBI double to center, bringing home Kylie Pavlicek for the game's opening run.
In the fourth, Concordia turned up the pressure, forcing defensive mistakes from the Tigers. Olivarez reached base again, and Grace Coleman forced an error that brought home two more runs, giving the Tornados a 3-0 lead.
But ETBU clawed back, capitalizing on a pair of timely hits to tie the game in the fifth. Karlee Mathis kept the Tigers at bay until the sixth, when M. Melton doubled in two runs, putting ETBU ahead 5-3.
Still, the Tornados weren't done. Kylie Kirk sparked a final-inning rally with a one-out double, and moments later, Olivarez delivered again, smashing an RBI single to cut the lead to one. She advanced to third on a passed ball, putting the tying run just 60 feet away. But ETBU narrowly escaped the jam, closing out what could have been a monumental upset.
BOX SCORE STANDOUTS
Molly Olivarez  3 Hits, 1 RBI, 1 Run
Kylie Denaro 1 Hit, 1 RBI, 1 SB
Kylie Kirk 1 Hit, 1 Run
GAME TWO: (L, 8-4)
Concordia came out swinging again in Game 2, proving their offense could go toe-to-toe with the highly ranked Tigers. Despite an early ETBU surge, the Tornados dominated the later innings and nearly staged a comeback before falling just short. Olivarez delivered another monster performance, going 2-for-3 with a three-run homer in the fourth inning, cutting ETBU's lead in half and igniting the Concordia dugout.
Coleman added an RBI double in the third, getting the Tornados on the board, while Malarie Mican kept the Tigers' defense on edge, swiping a base and manufacturing scoring opportunities. Caylee Spangle also contributed to the rally, reaching base and scoring a crucial run.
In the seventh, Olivarez blasted a leadoff double, keeping the Tornados' hopes alive and bringing the tying run to the on-deck circle. But ETBU managed to hold off the rally and escape with the win.
The Tornados will look to turn their momentum into wins as they hit the road to face the University of St. Thomas in Houston on Sunday.
BOX SCORE STANDOUTS
Molly Olivarez 2 Hits, HR, 3 RBIs,
Grace Coleman 1 Hit, 1 RBI
Concordia will now prepare for their next matchup as they travel to Houston to take on the University of St. Thomas on Sunday.
To keep up to date with everything surrounding the CTX softball program, follow us on social media (@ctxathletics) and visit athletics.concordia.edu.
