MARSHALL, Texas – In classic fashion that features the best NCAA Division III series in the nation, the #3 ranked East Texas Baptist University softball split their opening series with #1 University of Texas at Tyler in a top-three showdown. Texas Tyler held on for the game one win, 2-1, but ETBU had a walk-off double by Lindsey Vasquez in the eighth inning to win game two, 3-2. Overall the series is tied 34-34.

GAME 1

UTT 2, ETBU 1

It was a pitcher's game as the teams combined for seven hits total and three runs. Both UTT and ETBU were held hitless until the fourth inning when UTT struck first on a sacrifice fly, giving the Patriots a 1-0 lead. ETBU tied the game in the bottom of the sixth inning on a Lacey Lindsey solo homerun that barely squeaked over the left field foul pole. UTT scored on another sacrifice fly in the seventh inning for what would be the winning run.

Linzie Lewis was 1-of-3 in the first game with a double, Lindsey was 1-of-3 with her solo homerun, and Morgan Arst knocked a single to left center for ETBU's three hits in the game. Rocki Tello was given her first loss of the season to drop her record to 7-1. Tello allowed only two runs on four hits in seven innings of work.

Bianca Van Vlerah, Cheyenne Thompson, Mel Hinojosa, and Andrea Gonzales each recorded hits in the contest. Alaina Kissinger earned the win, pitching all seven innings and allowing one run on three hits.

GAME 2

ETBU 3, UTT 2

Another game for the ages in the series against each other came in game two as ETBU and UTT traded punches until the eighth inning. Lexi Ackroyd singled home a run to give UTT a lead in the second inning. Jayme Perez doubled home the tying run in the third inning, but Ackroyd answered with her second RBI of the game in the top of the fourth. Lewis tied the game up with a moon shot of a homerun to even the score at two a piece in the fifth inning. As the game went into extra innings, Vasquez wasted no time in the eighth inning as she doubled to left field bringing home Kaitlyn Hollingshead to knock off UTT, 3-2.

ETBU had eight hits as a team, led by Vasquez and Hollingshead with two each. Lewis, Perez, Gabby Gonzales, and Katy Hill each had one hit in the game. Lindsey walked three times in the game for ETBU. Jordan Anderson pitched a complete game, throwing eight innings and allowed only two runs on six hits. Anderson struck out seven batters, picking up her fourth win of the season.

Kaylee Prather led the Patriots with two hits, and four other players had one hit. Ackroyd knocked in th two runs to lead the offense. Whitney Romero picked up her first loss of the season, dropping her record to 6-1. Romero pitched 7.2 innings and allowed three runs on eight hits, and walked five batters.

ETBU and UTT will conclude the series tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. at Taylor Field for a winner take all rubber match game. ETBU is now 15-1, and 10-1 in American Southwest Conference while UTT is now 16-2 and 9-2 in the ASC.

PICS VS. TEXAS TYLER