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ROM CBB NEWS SOURCES
ABILENE, Texas – Concordia-Texas stunned No. 6-ranked Texas-Tyler in the opening game of the American Southwest Conference Championship Round Friday at Walt Driggers Field with an 8-7 victory. Brian Wernecke homered twice including a clutch 2-run shot in the top of the ninth inning that later proved to be the game-winner.
The Patriots responded with back-to-back solo homers before Matt Aubry settled down for the Tornados to pick up his seventh save of the season. Jared Hood led off the bottom of the ninth with a solo homer to bring the score 8-6 in favor of Concordia, then Andrew Damewood followed with a towering shot of his own and put the ASC East Division title holders within
one run.
However, Aubry struck out Kyle Braden for out No. 1. After Corey Farra singled, pinch hitter Michael Caggiano popped out to second and Kendall Fox struck out to end the game.
Stephen Szkotak picked up the win for the Tornados with seven innings of solid pitching keeping UT-Tyler at four runs – six runs below its season average. The starter also helped himself at the plate with two hits and a
RBI offensively. Tom Williams hit his 21st homer of the season and drove in two runs for CTX while Bryan Jacobs drove in two runs from the leadoff spot.
The Patriots¹ Blake Booher picked up his first loss of the season after carrying an 11-0 mark into the game. Booher allowed five runs on eight hits, walked none and struck out five. He left the game with CTX narrowly leading 5-4. However, the Tornados picked up three runs off reliever Beau Ziegler.
UT-Tyler faces elimination Saturday at Noon while CTX moves on to the winner¹s bracket game at 3:30 p.m. Both teams will wait the outcome of Friday¹s nightcap between the hosts, McMurry, and Mississippi College.
