MARSHALL, Texas – Finishing out the series as the top American Southwest Conference team, no. 4 East Texas Baptist University scored in four of the six innings sweeping Hardin-Simmons University, 8-2. ETBU is now 27-2 on the year and 17-1 in the ASC.
It was Strike Out Cancer Day as ETBU wore their pink jerseys and combined with HSU for a pre-game ceremony recognizing everyone that has fought cancer.
Courtney White's mother, Tanya, and Team Impact player Serenity Smith threw out the first pitch of the game.
Haylie Stum and White led ETBU with three hits as the Tigers had 13 hits on the day. White went 3-for-3 on the day with a RBI and two runs scored and Stum was 3-for-4 with three RBI.
Tristen Maddox then recorded two hits and a RBI. Also adding a RBI was
Shelby Navarrete and
Madalyn Melton.
Avery Holland pitched the complete game to move to 5-0 on the year with six strikeouts allowing just two earned runs and four hits.
Nobody scored in the first inning and HSU took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second. ETBU tied the game at two in the bottom of the inning was Maddox walked with the bases loaded. White then followed with another walk to put ETBU up, 2-1, earning her RBI. A Melton sac bunt in the third inning allowed
Hannah A. Kelley to score making it 3-1.
ETBU scored two runs in the fourth adding runs to the board for the third inning in a row. Maddox came in on a throwing error to third base for the fourth run and then Stum singled in White for the 5-1 lead. Adding three more runs in the sixth, ETBU went up 8-1. Navarrete had a bunt single to first base as White was the sixth run. Stum finished out the scoring with a two RBI single through the right side as
Izabella Morales and White were the seventh and eighth runs of the game.
HSU had a home run in the seventh inning for the 8-2 final.
ETBU travels to Texas Dallas next weekend for a three-game ASC series starting at 4:00 p.m.
Bios for Strike Out Cancer Day
Tanya White was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer in 2017. She was blessed with an amazing support system during that time that consisted of her loving family and a great team of Doctors who saved her life. When she reflects back on her cancer journey, she is so very thankful that she was able to beat the disease, but her heart is always heavy in remembrance of those whose journey turned out different. She would like to dedicate the first pitch today to them, including Ken white, Kathy and Ron Moreland and Wendy Neat. Catching the first pitch today will be her daughter, senior second baseman for the Tigers,
Courtney White.
Serenity Smith, a 10-year old who was paired with ETBU through Team Impact this past fall, started her cancer journey at the age of seven when she was diagnosed with stage three rhabdomyoma cancer and then completed 68 rounds of chemo and 30 rounds of radiation with St Jude with a continuation of therapy. Serenity enjoys riding her bike, playing on the trampoline, doing gymnastic things, and loves being around her siblings and meeting new friends. Throughout her journey, she has shown us what it means to be a true warrior princess and we are so grateful and thankful that she is still here today and we are grateful for the softball team for the encouraging words. Everything they keeps brightening Serenity's day and the continuance of prayers, laughter and joy shared keep her spirits uplifted.
