Shreveport, La. – A five-run seventh inning propelled the Centenary College baseball team to a 6-3 victory over the Concordia University Texas Tornados in the opener of a Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) series Friday evening at Shehee Stadium. The Diamond Gents (6-7, 1-3 SCAC) overcame a 3-1 deficit, showcasing resilience and clutch hitting to secure the win against the Tornados (6-2, 5-2 SCAC). The series continues Saturday with a doubleheader scheduled for 1 PM, with live stats and video available to fans.
The comeback win hinged on a dramatic shift in momentum during the bottom of the seventh. After falling behind early, Centenary’s offense finally broke through, capitalizing on opportunities and demonstrating a tenacity that proved decisive. The victory marks an critical early-season SCAC win for the Diamond Gents, signaling a potential turning point in their conference campaign.
Diamond Gents’ Seventh-Inning Surge
Trailing 3-1, Centenary began the seventh inning with a spark. Sophomore designated hitter Aron Gillum drew a leadoff walk, immediately putting a runner on base. Gillum then stole second, advancing into scoring position before a walk by freshman third baseman Garritt Romero loaded the bases. A sacrifice bunt by freshman left fielder Parker Seago moved runners to second and third with one out, setting the stage for a potential rally. While a groundout to third initially threatened to end the inning without a breakthrough, sophomore center fielder Blaine Birkelbach stepped up to the plate and delivered a crucial two-RBI single, tying the game at 3-3.
Birkelbach wasn’t finished. He promptly stole second base, putting himself in position to score, and senior third baseman Clay Menard followed with a walk, loading the bases once more. With the bases still loaded, junior shortstop Vance Sartor connected for a two-run double to left field, giving Centenary a 5-3 lead. Noah Paulson then singled home Sartor, extending the lead to 6-3. The offensive explosion in the seventh inning completely flipped the script, giving the Diamond Gents a comfortable cushion.
Pitching Prowess Seals the Deal
While the offense provided the late-game heroics, the pitching staff played a vital role in securing the victory. Sophomore pitcher/infielder Treyson Martin earned the win, pitching three scoreless innings in relief of senior right-handed pitcher Jacob Broussard. Martin allowed just one hit, facing 10 batters and throwing 38 pitches, 27 for strikes. Broussard worked the first six innings, allowing three earned runs on eight hits, two walks, and two strikeouts. He faced 27 batters, throwing 90 pitches.
Concordia’s pitching struggled to contain the Diamond Gents’ late-inning rally. Starter Rowdy Hoadley went six innings, allowing two earned runs and four hits, but labored through 111 pitches. Gabe Guitterez was tagged with the loss after allowing three earned runs in just 0.2 innings of work, while Erich Glenewinkel also surrendered three hits and one earned run in his 0.2 innings pitched.
Early Exchanges and Momentum Shifts
The Tornados struck first in the top of the second inning, with Logan Smith singling home Landon Hyle to take a 1-0 lead. Centenary quickly responded in the bottom half of the inning when Noah Paulson scored on a wild pitch, tying the game at 1-1. Concordia regained the lead in the top of the third, scoring two runs on an RBI single by Hunter Smith and a bases-loaded walk by Kolten McDaniel, establishing a 3-1 advantage that they held until Centenary’s seventh-inning outburst.
Fans can find the complete box score from the game here and watch a replay of the game on FloSports. Tickets for Saturday’s doubleheader are available for purchase online at Hudl. Centenary students, faculty, and staff are admitted free with a valid ID.
The Centenary baseball team will look to build on this momentum as they continue their SCAC series against Concordia on Saturday. The doubleheader is set to begin at 1 PM at Shehee Stadium, offering fans another opportunity to witness the Diamond Gents in action. The team’s schedule can be found on the Centenary Athletics website.
