MARSHALL, Texas – The East Texas Baptist University softball team picked up their second sweep of the season, defeating LeTourneau University today 7-5 and 11-3. ETBU improves to 8-0 this season, and begins 3-0 in American Southwest Conference play. LeTourneau falls to 3-6 overall and 1-5 in ASC play.

GAME 1

ETBU jumped out to an early lead in the first inning, thanks to a Jayme Perez two-run home run. LeTourneau responded in the top of the second inning with five runs, four came from a pinch-hit grand slam from Shelby Bagwell. Perez launched her second two-run homerun of the game in the bottom of the third inning, and Katy Hill knocked home another run to bring the score to 5-5. Lacey Lindsey provided the difference with a huge two-run single to close off the scoring 7-5.

Perez led the way offensively with two hits, both homeruns, and four runs batted in. Rocki Tello picked up her fifth win of the season (5-0, 1.51 ERA), pitching a complete game and allowing five runs (one earned). ETBU had eight hits as a team, collecting seven runs batted in, and also walked five times.

LeTourneau was led by Bagwell who had the grand slam in her lone at bat, and Alyssa Pierce who had two hits in the game. Bailey Woodard had the other run batted in for the Yellow Jackets. Faith Genoway received the loss, allowing seven runs (five earned) in 3.1 innings. Genoway walked five batters and allowed six hits.

GAME 2

ETBU would score four runs in the first and second innings to grab control of the rubber match, cruising to an 11-3 win. Lindsey Vasquez got things going early stealing two bases and forced an errant throw to grab a 1-0 lead. Gabby Gonzales knocked home Linzie Lewis, Lindsey would drive home Perez on a fielder's choice, and Shelby Irlbeck knocked home Lindsey to grab a 4-0 lead after one.

Perez and Lindsey would use back-to-back singles in the second to extend the lead to 6-0, and Hill would bring home two more on a single of her own to give ETBU an 8-0 lead. Lewis blasted her first homerun of the year to give ETBU a 9-0 lead. LeTourneau would bring the score back within six runs, as Woodard hit a bases clearing triple to make the score 9-3. Kaitlyn Hollingshead would answer in the bottom of the inning with an RBI single, followed by another RBI single from Lewis, forcing a run-rule in favor of ETBU 11-3.

ETBU racked up 15 hits in the second game of the double header, and batted .577 as a team. ETBU had an on-base percentage of .633. Lewis led ETBU with three hits and one homerun. Perez, Gonzalez, Lindsey, and Hill each had two hits in the win. Lewis and Hill led the way with two RBI's each.

Perez picked up her second win of the season to move to 2-0 in the circle. Perez pitched five innings and allowed three runs on three hits, striking out two and walking two.

LeTourneau had three hits in the game, led by Woodward with three RBI's. Courtney Matulis had one hit and one runs scored, and Bagwell had a hit and a run scored. Julie Cantu was tagged with the loss, allowing four runs on one hit, in 0.1 innings. Ashley Burdine pitched 2.1 innings in relief, allowing five runs on nine hits. Matulis pitch the final 1.1 innings, allowing two runs on five hits.

ETBU will return to action with a three game series at Mary Hardin-Baylor. ETBU and UMHB will play a double header on Friday evening starting at 3:00 p.m. Saturday will be a first pitch at 12:00 p.m.