Five Crusader errors spoiled a four-hitter by R.B. Garza in the second game. UMHB’s Andrew White helped the Crusaders regain the lead with a two-run fielders choice in the seventh inning to tie the game at 4. But two unearned runs for Concordia in the eighth gave the Tornadoes the win. White drove in all four UMHB runs and had two hits, along with Marcus Volz, Joseph Villegas and Derek Draeger.
Garza struck out seven in the loss, bringing his career total to 202. He is the first UMHB player to have more than 200 strikeouts in a career.
UMHB grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first inning of Friday’s opener after Draeger and Seth Lynn drew bases-loaded walks. Concordia tied the game in the second with a two-run home run and jumped ahead for good by adding three runs in the fourth. Salado graduate Sam VanHoozer (3-1) took the loss, allowing eight hits and five runs in 3 1/3 innings.
The Crusaders (19-15 overall, 9-9 ASC) host Howard Payne next weekend in a three-game series at Red Murff Field to close out the regular season.
