Written by Student Assistant Christian Bond

AUSTIN, Texas – The Pacific Lutheran University baseball team stranded 16 runners on base on Saturday as host Concordia University spun past the Lutes 12-4 in the second game of the squad's season opening tour of Texas.

The Tornados (2-0) offense twisted around the bases in the bottom of the fourth, scoring five runs on six hits to open up a 7-2 lead. The Lutes (1-1) had a chance to answer, loading the bases with nobody out in the next inning but came away empty-handed. Concordia would push across four more runs over the next two innings to build a 11-2 cushion, a lead PLU was unable to overcome.

"We had 12 hits today, but failed to get it done with runners in scoring position," Head Coach Nolan Soete said. "Our problem today was pitching and defense. We really need to clean up our defense early in games."

Jacob Bockelie had a solid day at the plate on Saturday. Bockelie finished the day three-for-three, driving in a pair of runs for the Lutes. The first came on a double to left center field that scored Anthony Gosline, tying the game at two in the third inning. Gosline scored again, this time on a single to right field from Bockelie in the eighth. Bockelie added two walks to his totals as well.

Matt Vick complimented Bockelie well in the Lute offense. Vick went two-for-three with a walk, driving in a run for the Lutes. In the seventh inning, Vick drove home Bockelie on a single to right.

Cole Johnson struck out four but was saddled with the loss, tossing 3 1/3 innings while Concordia's Caleb Nicholson netted the win as the Tornado pitching staff struck out 11 on the day, including six from Justin Traxler who logged four innings for the save.

PLU gets their first chance at a doubleheader tomorrow. The Lutes face Texas Lutheran University at 11 a.m., with a second game to follow shortly after.

"I expect the team to bounce back and play well," Soete said. "They will be ready to compete against a good team tomorrow."