Box Score PINEVILLE, La. – With post season implications on the line, the East Texas Baptist University baseball team finished off the regular season winning their 28th game, 8-4, over Louisiana College. By winning the final game, ETBU secures one of the final two locations for the first round of the American Southwest Conference tournament. ETBU's 28 wins are the most since the 34 wins in 2005.
ETBU finished the day with 13 hits as Conner Combs went 4-of-4 on the day with two doubles and four runs scored. Tyler Bates recorded three RBI on two hits with his 11th home run of the year. Casey Combs didn't record a hit but had two RBI while Jaxon Rader and Josh Warbington each had a RBI. Dynas Doud also added three hits on the day.
On the mound, Cody Pierce went seven innings for his fourth win of the year recording two strikeouts. Jimmy Russo worked the final two innings for his ninth save of the year also striking out two and not giving up any hits or runs.
Combs was the first player to score in the game in the second inning on two throwing errors by LC. He went to third on a pick off attempt to second and then home on the same play when the second baseman over threw third base. LC tied the game up in the bottom of the third but ETBU scored four runs in the fourth to break open the game.
Casey Combs picked up his first RBI when he was walked with the bases loaded to make it 2-1. Rader then earned his RBI with a sac fly to centerfield followed by a Bates single that brought home both Combs and Warbington making it 5-1.
LC cut the lead to three, 5-2, in the fifth inning but Bates solo home run in the sixth put the score at 6-2. Warbbington then added a run in the seventh on a single through the left side as Conner Combs came in for the five-run lead, 7-2. LC scored in back-to-back innings to come within three again, 7-4, when Russo came in and finished off the Wildcats. ETBU added one run in the ninth on Casey Combs sacrifice fly to centerfield as he scored his brother Conner.
ETBU will now have to wait and see if they will be the #1 or #2 seed in the ASC Tournament hosting on May 6-8 in Marshall, Texas.
