MARSHALL, Texas – A three-run first inning set the tone for #7 East Texas Baptist University as they held off #6 Linfield University, 7-2, for an opening round win in the NCAA Division III Marshall, Texas Regional Tournament. ETBU won their 33rd game of the year and stays in the winner's bracket.
 
Tauryn Cummings went 3-for-3 for four RBI and three runs scored and a home run to lead ETBU. Corley Carpenter also recorded two RBI with two hits. Kathryn Reed went seven innings for her 12^th win recording nine strikeouts and two earned runs.
 
Cummings doubled in both Sarah Bledsoe and Courtney White in the first inning for the 2-0 lead. Carpenter then followed with a single bringing in Cummings for the three-run lead. Linfield added a run in the second and third inning to pull within one, 3-2, only to see ETBU push the lead to two runs, 4-2, in the bottom of the inning. Cummings hit a solo home run for the fourth run of the game.
 
In the fifth inning, Cummings added her fourth RBI of the game on a double to right center field as Leah Akridge scored making it 5-2. Carpenter gave ETBU the 6-2 lead singling up the middle as Cummings crossed home plate for the third time. In the top of the sixth inning, Linfield had the bases loaded with only one out as they threatened to cut ETBU's lead. Reed came through striking out a batter for the second out followed by a fly out to left field to end the threat. ETBU finished off their scoring in the seventh when Mary Frances Ellis grounded out for a RBI as Denver Starkes scored.
 
ETBU will now face #5 Belhaven University at 12:00 p.m. on Friday for the right to go to the Regional Tournament Championship game on Saturday.