ANTHEM, Ariz. - Pacific Lutheran was looking for a strong start to the 2011 baseball season, but Concordia (Texas) collected 18 hits and limited the Lutes to just eight in taking a 13-5 victory at the Arizona Desert Classic on Thursday afternoon.

Concordia improved its record to 2-1 this season with a strong offensive output against four different PLU pitchers. Colton Gommert collected three hits and drove in five runs from his leadoff position. C.J. Riojas, a defensive replacement at second base, ended up going 3-for-3 with four RBI, including a three-run triple in a four-run top of the ninth inning. Gerry Morrison gave up two hits and a run in three innings of relief work to pick up the victory for the Tornados.

Dan Johansen, a second team all-conference outfielder for the Lutes last season, got the pitching start and went five innings. He allowed four runs on eight hits, but turned a 5-4 lead over to the bullpen. Nic Delikat, Ryan Frost and Scotty McGallian also pitched for the Lutes, with Delikat taking the loss. The final three pitchers combined to allow nine runs and 10 hits in four innings.

Corey Moore was the only Pacific Lutheran player with more than one hit, finishing 3-for-5 with a double and two runs batted in. His two-run single drove in PLU's first two runs in the second inning. The Lutes later scored three runs on just one hit in the bottom of the fourth, but they did not score after that.

PLU continues its appearance at the Arizona Desert Classic at 9 a.m. (Central Time) Friday when it faces the Cal Lutheran Kingsmen.

- PLU -