AUBURNDALE, Fla. — The Davis & Elkins baseball team fell to Concordia-St. Paul, 8-2, Wednesday morning at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational at Chain of Lakes Park.

The Senators recorded eight hits in the contest but were unable to overcome a strong early offensive surge by the Golden Bears.

Concordia-St. Paul struck first in the bottom of the opening inning with a sacrifice fly from Eric Berg to take a 1-0 lead. The Golden Bears extended their advantage in the second inning, scoring three runs highlighted by Berg's two-run double to push the score to 4-1.

Davis & Elkins answered in the top of the second inning when Tyler Mendoza delivered an RBI single to center field, scoring Nick Colarossi to tie the game at 1-1. The Senators added another run in the third inning as Aiden Morey singled up the middle to bring home Grant Mealey and cut the deficit to 4-2.

Concordia-St. Paul continued to build its lead, scoring twice in the fourth inning before adding insurance runs in the seventh and eighth innings to secure the 8-2 victory.

Zach Calef-Boring and Carsan Strolla each recorded two hits to lead the Senators at the plate. Mendoza and Morey each drove in a run, while Mealey and Colarossi scored Davis & Elkins' two runs.

Kyle Ball took the loss on the mound for Davis & Elkins, allowing six runs on six hits over 3.2 innings while striking out five. Carson Gorby and Charley Plummer combined to pitch the final 4.1 innings in relief.

Lou Walker earned the win for Concordia-St. Paul after allowing two runs over six innings, while Caden Carsen picked up the save with three scoreless innings of relief.

Davis & Elkins returns to action Friday, March 6, when the Senators face Winona State University at 2 p.m. at Lake Myrtle Park in Auburndale, Florida, continuing play at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational.