Early Defensive Miscues Too Much for 'Roos to Overcome

SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College baseball team had multiple defensive lapses in the early going against Concordia Texas in the first game of the series between the two Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference squads, as the Tornados took advantage and built a big lead on their way to an 18-7 decision on Friday evening at Baker Field. The 'Roos are now 8-11 overall and 8-8 in conference play.

Errors in each of the first two innings by the 'Roos led to eight early runs, with two coming in the first and six more crossing in the second. Only one of the runs plated in the second frame was earned. Austin College did get two runs across in the bottom of the first, squaring the score at 2-2 after one on a two-run double by Jayden Ayala-Hinojosa. However, a bobbled ball in the infield opened the door for the big inning by CTX, and Austin College was unable to climb out of the early hole.

Carlos Michinaux singled home a run in the third to cut it to 8-3, but the Tornados got another big inning in the fourth, with Kalen Clark belting a two-run homer to open up a five run frame to make it 13-3. Jaxyn Rogers blasted a solo shot in the bottom half of the inning, before Concordia pushed four more runs across in the fifth to make it 17-4, and the margin grew to 18-4 in the seventh. The 'Roos got three runs back via a balk, a bases loaded walk by Rogers, and a wild pitch, but that's as close as things would get as the game ended early at 18-7 via the run rule.

Jonas CeBallos suffered his first loss of the season for the 'Roos, giving up eight runs - only two earned - on six hits in 2.0 innings of work, while Rowdy Hoadley went 6.2 innings surrendering seven runs on eight hits to get the win. Ayala-Hinojosa was 3-for-4 with two RBI to pace the 'Roos, and Landon Hyle was 4-for-5 with four RBI to lead Concordia. The two teams will be back in action on Saturday for a doubleheader beginning at noon.