MARSHALL, Texas – In two low scoring games on Saturday's doubleheader, the East Texas Baptist University baseball team could not capitalize on the opportunities they were given as they dropped both games to the Hardin-Simmons University Cowboys. The losses put ETBU at 7-6 overall and 1-2 in conference play.

Game one was scoreless through five innings until HSU broke through in the sixth inning to score the only run of the game for a 1-0 win. Zach Gartner led ETBU with two hits while Jeremy Bateman and KJ Miller had a hit as well. Taking the loss was Blaine Parker who went six innings allowing one run on four hits while striking out five. Cade Johnson drove in the only run for HSU while he, Hunter Garrison (one run), Taylor Cooling, and Cody Berryman got one hit each. Taylor McMackin got the win with five shutout innings allowing four hits and three strikeouts. Hayden Day made the save with two innings of no-hit ball.

Game two was another tight game as HSU scrapped out a 2-1 victory. Gartner once again led ETBU with three hits while Seth Mikeska drove in the lone run for ETBU. John Marrs (3.2 IP, one run, three hits, three strikeouts) started for ETBU. But it was Jordan O'Bannon who was credited with the loss going 1.1 innings allowing one run on two hits and struck out three. John Tople and Elijah Perez would each get two hits while Berryman and Dylan Sweeney collected an RBI each for HSU. Chandler Carter picked up the win with six innings of one-run ball on two hits and four strikeouts while Day then collected his second save pitching three scoreless innings allowing two hits and striking out three.

Game 1 – ETBU 0, HPU 1
Both starting pitchers would give up one hit in the top of the first inning, but they kept each other off the scoreboard. In the bottom of the second inning, ETBU put together a two-out rally as two walks to Drew Large and Dylan Sumpter and a single by KJ Miller loaded the bases. But HPU survived the frame as ETBU grounded out on a fielder's choice. Two scoreless innings later, ETBU had a runner in scoring position as Bateman singled and stole second. But he was left stranded as a groundout to third ended ETBU's inning.

HSU would break the scoreless game as a leadoff double by Garrison was followed by an RBI single by Johnson to make it 1-0. ETBU led off the sixth with a single by Gartner. But again, ETBU's opportunity to score was not to be as a strikeout, flyout, and fielder's choice kept ETBU scoreless. Day then finished the save with a 1-2-3 seventh inning to preserve the win.

Game 2 – ETBU 1, HPU 2
A one out single and a walk by HSU would lead to Sweeney driving in the first run of the game with a single for a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. ETBU would answer in the bottom of the first as a leadoff walk to Bateman and a single by Gartner set up Mikeska grounding out to short to allow Bateman to score the tying run. The next two of three innings would see ETBU have a runner in scoring position only to be left on base as ETBU couldn't drive in the go-ahead run.

In the top of the sixth, HSU picked up a two-out double from Perez, who later advanced on a wild pitch. After a walk to Garrison, Johnson struck out swinging to end the threat. Once again, ETBU would have the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth inning. But once again, ETBU couldn't bring in the run and the game was still tied at one after six. HSU would then take the lead in the top of the seventh as they would use a two-out rally on a single by Tople and a triple by Berryman to go up 2-1. ETBU did have runners on first and third with one out in the bottom of the seventh. Yet, a strikeout and flyout kept the lead for HSU. ETBU would only get one more hit in the final two innings as Day completed his second save.

ETBU will look to bounce back as they will play the University of Texas Tyler Patriots this Friday at 7:00 PM and Saturday for a 1:00 PM and a 3:00 PM doubleheader.