MARSHALL, Texas – A pitching duel in both contests, the East Texas Baptist University baseball team managed a split against the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in their second American Southwest Conference series of the season. ETBU won the first game, 3-1, but fell in the second game, 2-1. They are now 6-4 overall and 3-2 in the ASC
ETBU squeaked by UMHB in Game 1 with a 3-1 win.
Fox Locke had two hits in the game while
Charles Gordon recorded the lone RBI for the Tigers.
Isaiah Alvarenga completed the game going all seven innings allowing one run on six hits and striking out seven batters.
UMHB would manage to get their first win of the season in the second game, 2-1. Taking the loss for the Tigers was
Blake Corbin, who allowed both runs on six hits while striking out six batters. Gordon would also have the lone RBI in the second game as well.
Game 1: ETBU 3, UMHB 1 (7 Inn.)
After two scoreless innings in which neither side had a hit, the Crusaders loaded the bases with two outs before Alvarenga struck out the final hitter to end the inning. ETBU would then breakthrough in the bottom of the third inning with a RBI single from Gordon.
UMHB would tie the game in the fourth inning with a RBI single following a leadoff triple. A fielder's choice error off the bat of Barry scored McAdams from third in the fifth inning putting ETBU ahead, 2-1. Barry then scored on a balk to increase the lead to 3-1. Alvarenga then finished off the Crusaders in the final two innings to preserve the win.
Game 2: UMHB 2, ETBU 1
UMHB scored first in the top of the first inning with an RBI single. ETBU would threaten in the bottom of the second inning with two runners on. A strikeout and a fly-out to center to end the inning leaving the runners on. The next three innings would see both pitchers putting up zeroes to keep the game at 1-0.
The Crusaders would add to their lead in the sixth with a RBI double. The Tigers would get the first two runners on base in the bottom of the sixth. But, again, they couldn't drive either of them in. ETBU recorded their only run in the bottom of the eighth when Gordon delivered a single. The Tigers did bring the winning run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning, but couldn't bring him in.
ETBU will try to take the series on Sunday afternoon from UMHB starting at 2:00 p.m.