CONWAY, Arkansas - The Concordia Texas baseball team split a doubleheader with Hendrix College on Friday at Warrior Field, opening the series with a tightly contested win before falling in a high-scoring nightcap.
Game One: W, 3-2
The Tornados leaned on timely hitting and strong pitching to secure a 3-2 victory in the opener.
Concordia struck first in the second inning, loading the bases before Samuel Ortiz drew a walk to bring in the game's first run. Hendrix responded with single runs in the third and fourth innings to take a 2-1 lead, but the Tornados answered in the sixth.
A spark came from Ty Klaus-Kismore, who reached on a bunt single and moved into scoring position before Gavin Caldwell tied the game with an RBI fielder's choice. Moments later, Carson Riley delivered the go-ahead RBI single to give CTX a 3-2 advantage.
On the mound, Rowdy Hoadley kept the Tornados within striking distance, allowing two runs over five innings. Jackson Low was dominant out of the bullpen, tossing four scoreless innings to earn the win and secure the series-opening victory.
Game Two: L, 10-8
The nightcap turned into an offensive battle, with Concordia recording 16 hits but coming up just short in a 10-8 loss.
CTX jumped out early, plating three runs in the first inning behind RBI hits from Louis Alonzo and Ortiz, along with a Hendrix error. After Hendrix answered with a big second inning, the Tornados responded again in the third with three more runs, highlighted by RBI knocks from Ortiz, Caldwell, and Riley to reclaim the lead.
Despite the offensive production, Hendrix used a pair of multi-run innings early to build a lead that Concordia could not fully overcome. The Tornados made a late push with two runs in the eighth, but the comeback fell short.
Concordia & Hendrix will conclude the series with the rubber match tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 1pm.
To keep up to date with everything surrounding the CTXÂ baseball program, follow us on social media (@ctxathletics) and visit athletics.concordia.edu.
