TYLER, Texas – In the first game of a best-of-three series versus #4 Texas Tyler, the East Texas Baptist University softball team fell 9-1. ETBU falls to 38-10 overall and 0-1 in the 2017 NCAA Super Regional Championship, while Texas Tyler improves to 43-4 and one win from advancing to the 2017 College World Series.

ETBU started off the game by getting two runners on with two outs in the top of the first inning, before popping up a pitch to end the inning. The defending National Champions scored on in the bottom of the first inning. Kaylee Prather and Andrea Gonzales reached by infield singles, before a Texas leaguer fell in between the ETBU defense. In the top of the third inning, Linzie Lewis reached on an error and Jayme Perez reached on a hit by pitch with two outs. Lacey Lindsey missed a go ahead homerun by a matter of feet to end the threat.

The momentum shift went in favor of Texas Tyler as they rattled of eight runs in the bottom of the third inning. ETBU would put together a rally in the top of the fifth inning with a double off the left centerfield wall to start the inning from Katy Hill. Lindsey Vasquez singled to left centerfield to bring home Hill and cut the lead to 9-1. Texas Tyler made a jumping snag to end the first game of the Super Regionals.

Vasquez and Hill had the lone two hits for the ETBU offense. Perez reached base twice with a walk and a hit by pitch, followed by Lindsey with a hit by pitch as well. ETBU left five runners on base and was 1-6 with runners in scoring position in the contest. Rocki Tello picked up the loss to move to 14-6 on the year.

Texas Tyler totaled 13 hits in four innings offensively, with four Patriots recording multi-hit games. Cheyenne Thompson had four RBI and a homerun to lead the offense. Alaina Kissinger was the winning pitcher to move to 24-2 on the season.

Day two of the 2017 Super Regionals will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday at SuddenLink Field in Tyler. ETBU will need two wins to advance to the 2017 College World Series in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Texas Tyler needs one win to advance. The if-necessary game will follow the conclusion of the first game.