SHREVEPORT, Louisiana – Dominate pitching by the East Texas Baptist University baseball team led to a 3-1 victory over the Pacific University Boxers at Centenary College. ETBU is now 2-2 on the year after opening up the season with four games in Shreveport, La.

 

The story of ETBU was great pitching as Zackery Pierce received the win by going 6.2 innings allowing one run on five hits while striking out three batters and walking one. Derrick Findley would pick up the save in the final 2.2 innings as he would retire eight of the nine batters he faced while striking out two. PU's Bryce Wlodarchak took the loss by pitching two innings allowing one hit and two runs and three strikeouts.. 

 

Offensively, ETBU was led by Zachary McAdams, who picked up two hits while Jeremy Bateman (two RBI), Zach Gartner, and Mason Aldredge would each have a hit. Derek Legeza, Von Ferguson, Joey Galeno, Dylan Wright, and Max Nealon each had a hit for the Boxers. 

 

After each team produced a scoreless first inning, PU would strike first when they reached base on an error, a hit by pitch, and a bunt single before scoring on a fielder's choice. Pierce then loaded the bases again before retiring the side on a flyout to right. In the bottom of the second, Landen Barns led off with a walk before Seth Mikeska would make it two runners on with no out. After McAdams advanced the runners on a sacrifice bunt, Bateman would give ETBU a 2-1 lead with a two-run single to single. The inning would end when both Dylan Sumpter and KJ Miller struck out. 

 

Neither team scored in the third inning before PU threatened in the fourth, With two outs, and a runner on, Casey Combs would catch the runner stealing to end the threat. ETBU would add to their lead in the bottom half when a one-out single by McAdams was followed by a groundout from Mikeska. McAdams would then score on two wild pitches and ETBU led 3-1. PU would get their leadoff batter on base with a single in the fifth inning. But he would be left on base after PU's next three batters grounded out. 

 

In the sixth inning, ETBU would load the bases with one out. But the rally ended when Jack Hanstad grounded into a double play to end the sixth. Pierce retired the first batter before Findley was called in to record the next two outs. Findley would then retire the final six outs to secure the 3-1 win. 

 

ETBU will head out to Georgetown, Texas to take on Southwestern. Friday's game starts at 6:00 PM while Saturday's doubleheader will take place at 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM.