MARSHALL, Texas – Pouring out eight runs in four innings to come from behind, no. 2 East Texas Baptist University advanced to the American Southwest Conference Tournament semi-final game in an 8-2 victory over LeTourneau University. ETBU is now 36-2 on the year.
ETBU was down, 2-0 after the first inning and then scored eight runs from the second through fifth innings for the six-run advantage, 8-2.
Delanie Loya and
Mallory Pyle both had home runs propelling the Tigers ahead.
Eight players contributed to the nine ETBU hits in the game as
Mary Frances Ellis led with two hits.
Tauryn Cummings,
Haylie Stum,
Emma Bell,
Madalyn Melton, Loya, Pyle, and
Ava Rodriguez all had one hit.
Courtney White, Loya and Pyle led with two RBI while
Tristen Maddox and Rodriguez added one RBI.
Avery Holland pitched a complete game to move to 9-0 with three strikeouts. She gave up five hits and two earned runs with only one walk.
LETU took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a home run. After ETBU had just one hit in the bottom of the first inning, Loya had a solo home run to left field in the second to cut the lead to one, 2-1. In the third inning, White brought in the tying run as Ellis scored from third base. Rodriguez pinch hit in the fourth inning that brought in Melton with a long single to right field for the 3-2 lead. Two batters later, Maddox was walked with the bases loaded earning a RBI and a two-run advantage, 4-2. White then earned her second RBI of the game with a ground out as Pyle came in making it 5-2.
Loya had a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning pushing the lead to four, 6-2, and then Pyle finished off the scoring with her first home run of the year over the left field wall as ETBU took a six-run lead, 8-2. LETU threatened in the sixth inning with back-to-back singles on two outs putting runners on second and third. Holland ended the threat with a called strike three for her third strikeout of the game.
ETBU will now play Concordia University Texas at 3:00 p.m. for the chance to go to the ASC Championship game on Saturday.
