AUSTIN, Texas—The University of Texas at Tyler Softball (26-2) earned their 11^th-consecutive victory on Wednesday afternoon with a 6-1 win over Concordia University Texas (11-20).
 
After the Patriots outslugged the Tornados on Tuesday, it was Concordia that jumped out to an early lead in the series finale. They scored a run in the first inning, but were retired in order during the second inning by senior left-handed pitcher Colleen Bentke (Brenham, Texas) who got the start in the circle for UT Tyler.
 
Sophomore infielder Mak Dominguez (Austin, Texas) and senior outfielder Nicole Garcia (Sugar Land, Texas) both singled to begin the top of the third inning for the Patriots. Both runners would advance into scoring position before being driven home on a single to center field courtesy of sophomore catcher Ashley Perez (Pflugerville, Texas). After another single in the inning by senior infielder Theresa Gonzales (Elgin, Texas), freshman infielder Chaney Tart (Malakoff, Texas) hit a sacrifice fly to left field and gave the Patriots a 3-1 lead.
 
Both teams managed to get runners on base in the fourth inning before going down in order in the fifth. The Patriots ended the games two-plus inning scoring drought in the top of the sixth inning with Theresa Gonzales leading off the frame by reaching on a walk. Two batters later, senior infielder Serena Saldivar (Garland, Texas) hit her fourth homerun of the season to tie for the team lead. Her two-run blast over the left field wall gave UT Tyler a four-run advantage, 5-1.
 
Bentke set the Tornados down in order for the second straight inning during the home half of the sixth which allowed the Patriots to increase their lead in the top of the seventh. Garcia began the inning with a single through the left side before advancing to second on a senior outfielder Dariann Resendez (Austin, Texas) groundout. Garcia then crossed home play on a single through the right side.
 
With a 6-1 lead in the bottom of the seventh, Bentke recorded the first out before being relieved by junior right-handed pitcher Whitney Romero (Lafayette, Louisiana). She made quick work of the final two batters with a strikeout and a foul out to end the game. Bentke recorded the win to move to 14-2 on the season after 6.1 innings, one run allowed, and five strikeouts.
 
At the plate, senior infielder Victoria Gonzales (Elgin, Texas) and Garcia both picked up two hits with Victoria Gonzales also driving in a run. Saldivar and Perez lead the Patriots with a pair of RBI's while Tart also plated a run.
 
After adjusting their weekend schedule, the Patriots will now open their series against Hardin Payne University on Thursday. The two teams will meet at Irwin field for a single game at 6 p.m. before a playing a doubleheader on Friday at 2 p.m.