MARSHALL, Texas – In a back-and-forth game between two of the top programs in NCAA Division III, #2 East Texas Baptist University's rally fell short in the seventh inning as the University of Texas Tyler took game one, 3-2. ETBU is now 32-3 overall as this series is a regional series with UTT transitioning to NCAA Division II.
 
Beatriz Lara would receiver her first loss of the season allowing three runs on five hits with six strikeouts. Six Tigers would have hits as MacKenzie Anderson and Emily Deramus (HR) having the RBI on the day. UTT's winning pitcher was Miranda Leal, who pitched 2.1 scoreless innings with two strikeouts. Whitney Romero would get the save by facing the final batter. While five UTT players had a hit, Ashley Perez had two RBI to lead the team.
 
After each starting pitcher had a perfect first inning, Lara ran into trouble with two runners on in the second inning. But a sliding catch by Delgado ended UTT's scoring threat. Each team would then homer in the third as UTT grabbed a 1-0 only for Deramus to knot up the game in the bottom of the third. The Patriots would load the bases with one out in the top of the fourth inning. Yet, Lara would get a fielder's choice and a strikeout to keep the score tied at one. In the fifth inning, Anderson broke through with an RBI triple to put ETBU up 2-1.
 
It stayed that way until the seventh when the Patriots loaded the bases with two outs. This time, they would come through with a two-run single to take the lead 3-2. But the Tigers would not go away as they would load the bases with two outs. Unfortunately, a groundout to third ended the game as the Tigers suffered the loss.
 
ETBU will look to bounce back tomorrow at 2:00 PM for the start of their doubleheader.