Box Score TYLER, Texas – A late rally by #2 University of Texas Tyler ended #10 East Texas Baptist University's chance of defending their American Southwest Conference softball championship, 3-2. UTT scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and then held ETBU in the top of the seventh to end the game. ETBU finishes with a 35-7 overall record and will now wait to see if they receive an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament.
Linzie Lewis and Lacey Lindsey were named to the All-Tournament team as ETBU went 2-2. It is the second year in a row that Lindsey has made the All-Tournament team. Lewis was 4-of-4 last night vs. Louisiana College and tied the ETBU single season record for hits at 68.
ETBU scored board first in the top of the second inning with an RBI single from Shelby Irlbeck, bringing home Lindsey. UTT scratched a run back in the bottom half of the third inning on a Cheyenne Thompson RBI triple. Jayme Perez launched her 12th homerun of the season over the centerfield fence in the top of the sixth inning to mover the score in favor of ETBU, 2-1. UTT would answer in the bottom of the sixth, when KK Stevens doubled home two runs for the Patriots. ETBU would threaten in the top of the seventh inning, but their comeback came up short as they fell, 3-2.
Lindsey Vasquez, Perez, Lindsey, Gabby Gonzales, and Irlbeck each had one hit for ETBU. Irlbeck and Perez picked up on RBI each, and Lindsey hit a double in the contest. Rocki Tello was given the loss to fall to 12-4 this season. Tello allowed three runs on six hits in 6.0 innings pitched.
UTT was led by Kaylee Prather with two hits and two runs scored. Stevens led the Patriots with two RBI and one double, and Thompson added one hit which was the RBI triple. Alaina Kissinger picks up her 22nd win to move to 22-1 this season. Kissinger allowed two runs on five hits in 6.2 innings. Miranda Leal picked up save number one after pitching the final out in the game.
ETBU will now wait until Monday evening for the NCAA Tournament selection show. ETBU is ranked #3 in the NCAA Division III West Regional Rankings behind #1 UTT, and ASC Champion #2 Texas at Dallas.
