ABILENE, Texas – Sophomore Karlee Mathis tossed a two-hit complete-game shutout in the circle, while junior shortstop Lilly Longoria drove in three runs to lead Concordia (Tex.) to a 5-0 victory over second-seeded University of St. Thomas in the nightcap of day one at the SCAC Tournament Championship at Edwards Field on the campus of McMurry University. Official Website | Bracket | Photo Gallery | Postgame Interview
With the win, the Tornados advance to tomorrow’s winner’s bracket final.
The Tornados, who entered the day 0-2 all-time in SCAC action became the first team since 2023 to win multiple games on the opening day of the conference tournament.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Longoria opened the scoring in the first with a single up the middle to score Kylie Kirk.
- Concordia then poured on four more runs on in the third, as Mathis did not even allow a Celt baserunner until the home half of the frame.
- In the top half of the third, Kirk picked up her third RBI of the day on a sacrifice fly to center field scoring Katie Bethke. Longoria then lashed a two RBI double that scored Kylie Denaro and Malarie Mican.
- Molly Olivarez then drove in Longoria, courtesy of an RBI double to cap off the scoring and hand Mathis a 5-0 lead.
- Mathis allowed just two hits, issued one walk and struck out one, facing 23 batters in securing her 13th win of the year.
CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Lilly Longoria: 2-3, 3 RBI, 1 run, 1 double
- Kylie Kirk: 2-2, 1 run, 1 RBI, I double
- Molly Olivarez: 1-3, 1 RBI
- Katie Bethke: 1-3, 1 run
- Karlee Mathis: 7.0 IP, 2 hits allowed, 1 K, 1 BB, Win
UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Samantha Crumrin: 1-3
- Ciaira Gonzalez: 1-2
- Brynn Glidwell: 4.1 IP, 4 hits allowed, 0 runs
NOTABLES
- Concordia improves to 30-12 on the year and advances into the program’s first-ever SCAC winner’s bracket final.
- This marked the first meeting all-time between the two programs in SCAC Tournament history.
- This loss marks just the second time in the last 12 years, the defending SCAC Tournament champion has lost their opening game in pursuit of defending its title (TLU, 2023).
- St. Thomas falls to 29-9 on the season.
UP NEXT
The Tornados advance to face Texas Lutheran in the winner's bracket, with a spot in the championship round on the line, tomorrow at 3 p.m. Meanwhile, the Celts move into an elimination game against host McMurry at 12:30 p.m. tomorrow.
