AUSTIN, Texas - Southwestern faced a tough Concordia squad that fared well at home this weekend.  The Pirates (0-4) enjoyed some strong innings in the double header, but it wasn't enough against Concordia (3-0) who defeated them 8-4 and 15-3. 

In game one of the doubleheader, SU found themselves down early, giving up runs in the third.  The Tornados Kyle Rodriguez tripled to right center to start the inning and they were able to keep the pressure on the Pirate pitchers and defense to the tune of six runs. 

In the top of the fifth, the 'Bucs offense sprang to life.  Lance Gottardy doubled down the left field line, and then he advanced to third on the single by Ross Meyer.  Josh Presnall singled through the left side scoring Gottardy.  A batter later, Charlie Garrett walked to load the bases for Southwestern.  Cruz Luna singled to shortstop, advancing all the runners and brought home Meyer.  A sacrifice fly by Nate Shipp and a single by Zachary Lynch scored two more runs before Concordia could record the third out to end the inning.  When the side changed, the Pirates had four runs on the board, but still found themselves down. 

The home team added to their lead with a run a piece in the fourth and sixth innings, earning them the 8-4 win.

In game two of the doubleheader, the Pirates took control of the game by scoring three runs in the first.  Lead-off hitter Garrett reached first base on an error by the shortstop.  Garrett moved over to third on a single by Luna.  Southwestern loaded the bases with Nate Shipp getting hit by a pitch.  Lynch bumped all the runners a base with a single, scoring Garrett.  Cray Betts followed up with a single bringing home Luna.  Then Gottardy scored Shipp from third on a sacrifice fly out to right field.  Concordia was able to get the final two outs in the frame without giving up another run.

The Southwestern pitching and defense looked solid early in the game.  In the fourth inning, the Tornados put together an offensive outburst that would turn the tide of the game.  Concordia rallied for seven runs on nine hits in the fourth.  The shell shocked 'Bucs ceded runs in the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings on the way to the 15-3 final score.

The Pirates had base runners in the fourth and eighth innings but came up empty.  Offensively, the 'Bucs were led by Cruz Luna, who went 2 for 4 and scored in game 2 along with teammates Zachary Lynch and Cray Betts each going 1 for 4 with an RBI a piece.

Southwestern Baseball returns to Rockwall Field in Georgetown, Texas for their home opener against Mary Hardin-Baylor on February 10^th at 2:00pm.