Posted: May 02, 2026
ABILENE, Texas – Powered by a three run fifth inning, third-seeded Concordia University (Tex.) defeated sixth-seeded Centenary College, 3-2, Saturday afternoon in opening round action of the 2026 SCAC Softball Tournament Championships at Edwards Field on the campus of McMurry University. Official Website | Bracket | Photo Gallery | Postgame Interview
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The game remained scoreless through the opening two frames, as both teams combined for one hit though the first 12 outs.
- Centenary struck first in the visiting half of the third when Abigail Hodgson collected her team leading 29th RBI of the season, with a two-out single to right center, scoring Noelle Sandmann. The Ladies would leave two runners on after scoring the first run of the game.
- The Ladies made it 2-0 in the top half of the fifth after Laine Sullivan scored after Hodgson reach first on an error with two outs.
- Concordia got on the board, cutting the lead in half after Kylie Denaro drove in her 27th run of the year with an RBI single to left, scoring Izabella Ramirez in the home half of the fifth.
- The Tornados once again struck with two outs, courtesy of a two RBI double off the bat from Kylie Kirk, scoring both Denaro and Katie Bethke to deliver a 3-2 lead going into the sixth inning.
- Kirk, who drove in the winning run, also got the win in the circle, going the distance with 7.0 innings pitched, scattering six hits, striking out six and allowing just the two runs. Kirk didn’t allow a single hit once the Tornados took the lead and stranded just one runner.
CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Kamry Kothman: 2-2, 1 BB
- Kylie Denaro: 1-3, 1 RBI, 1 Run
- Katie Bethke: 1-2, 1 Run
- Kylie Kirk: 1-3, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 7.0 IP, W, 6 Ks
CENTENARY COLLEGE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Abigail Hodgson: 1-3, 1 RBI
- Catherine Stokes: 2-3
- Laine Sullivan: 1-2, 1 Run
- Haydyn Schexnayder: 5.0 IP, 6 Hits, 3 ER, 1 K
NOTABLES
- The win marked the first in Concordia program history at the SCAC Tournament, improving to 1-2 all-time.
- Centenary falls to 16-20 all-time in SCAC Tournament play.
- The meeting marked the first between the two programs in SCAC Tournament history.
- Concordia improves to 29-12 on the year, while Centenary drops to 16-23.
UP NEXT
The Tornados move on to face second-seeded St. Thomas at 6:30 PM CT later today. Meanwhile, the Ladies will move into an elimination game against the loser of game 3 at 10 a.m. tomorrow.
