KERRVILLE, Texas – The 2017 season started with a “bang” for the East Texas Baptist University baseball team as they defeated Schreiner University in the season opener 11-7. ETBU improves to 1-0 on the season, and Schreiner falls to 0-1 to begin the year.

ETBU got on the board first from a Zach Compton RBI single in the top of the first inning. Schreiner would tie the game up in the bottom of the first inning on an ETBU error. ETBU would respond in the third inning on an RBI double from Conner Combs, and a two-run homerun from Compton to bring the ETBU lead to 4-1.

In the top of the fourth inning, Jaxon Rader knocked in Casey Combs and Dylan Sumpter to extend the ETBU lead. Compton would strike again in the top of the fifth with his second homerun of the game to give ETBU a 7-1 advantage. Schreiner answered back in the bottom of the fifth inning to bring the score within two runs. Casey Combs launched a leadoff homerun to begin the sixth inning to give ETBU an 8-5 lead.

ETBU would add three insurance runs in the late innings. They scored one in the seventh on an RBI single by Conner Combs and two in the ninth, which would play a vital role in the bottom half of the inning. Schreiner would hit a solo homerun and an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth to tally the final runs of the game.

Kyle Loson earned the win on the mound to improve to 1-0 this season pitching 5.0 innings and giving up five runs (4 earned). Zach Pollard earned the save, going 4.0 innings in relief, and allowing just two runs and striking out three. ETBU had 11 hits in the contest and nine RBIs. Zach Compton led the way going 3-3 at the plate with four RBIs. Conner Combs, Josh Warbington, and Rader each added two hits each. 

ETBU will return to action tomorrow with a double header against Schreiner starting at 12:00 p.m. The second game will follow 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game. The games will be a seven inning contest, then a nine inning contest.