MARSHALL, Texas – In two masterful pitching performances, No. 1 East Texas Baptist University shut out Howard Payne University, 8-0, in two five-inning run-rule games. ETBU is now 26-2 and 4-0 in the American Southwest Conference.
McKenzie Jones and
Hannah Benavides both had shutout wins vs. HPU. Jones gave up six hits in game one, with seven strikeouts, which improved to 6-0. Benavides followed with 12 strikeouts in a two-hit performance, moving to 4-1.
Emma Bell led the offensive barrage of hits with four as ETBU finished with 21 hits. She was 4-of-5 with three RBI and four runs scored.
Katelynn Jones was 3-of-3 with two triples and one RBI as
Ava Rodriguez posted a home run with three hits for three RBI.
Tauryn Cummings and
Tristen Maddox each added a home run as Cummings posted three RBI. Also adding two RBI were
Madalyn Melton as
Mary Frances Ellis and
Izabella Morales had one RBI.
Game 1
ETBU 8, HPU 0 (5 inn)
ETBU shut out Howard Payne with an 8-0 victory, highlighted by a three-run third and fifth inning.
In the first inning, ETBU took an early lead against Howard Payne with two runs. Maddox doubled to left center and scored on an Bell double. Bell later crossed home plate due to a fielding error, putting the Tigers ahead 2–0.
The third inning saw ETBU increase their lead. Bell singled and stole second before Cummings drove him in with a single. Rodriguez then hit a two-run homer, extending the lead to 5–0.
ETBU added three more runs in the fifth inning.
Katelynn Jones tripled and scored on a single by Melton. Rodriguez brought Melton home with a single, and Morales drove in
Aleyna St. Jean, solidifying an 8–0 advantage.
McKenzie Jones delivered an impressive performance by pitching a complete game shutout. Over five innings, Jones allowed six hits and struck out seven batters while walking two.
Bell contributed two hits, two runs, one RBI, a double, and a stolen base. Rodriguez made a significant impact with a home run, driving in three runs.
ETBU Top Performers
Emma Bell
- 2 runs
- 2 hits
- 1 double
- 1 RBI
- 1 stolen base
Ava Rodriguez
- 3 RBIs
- 1 home run
McKenzie Jones
- 5 innings pitched
- 7 strikeouts
- Complete game shutout
Game 2
ETBU 8, HPU 0 (5 inn)
ETBU took a decisive 8-0 victory over HPU in game two, highlighted by a strong three-run second inning, completing the doubleheader sweep.
The Tigers opened the game with a run in the first inning. Bell's aggressive baserunning led to an early score after reaching base on a bunt single, stealing two bases, and scoring on a sacrifice fly by Melton for the 1-0 lead.
In the second inning, ETBU extended their lead.
Makayla Menchue and K. Jones both singled and advanced bases, setting up Ellis for an RBI single. Bell later drove in two more runs with a single to center field, bringing the score to 4–0.
The third inning saw Jones contribute an RBI triple, scoring
Maci Shirley who pinch ran for Rodriguez. This added another run for ETBU, increasing their lead to 5–0.
ETBU continued their offensive barrage in the fourth inning. Maddox hit a solo home run, followed by a two-run homer from Cummings, bringing the score to 8–0.
The defense for the Tigers was solid throughout, preventing Howard Payne from scoring across all five innings. Howard Payne was held hitless in three innings and only managed two hits overall. Benavides delivered a complete game shutout in ETBU's contest pitching five innings and allowing just two hits. Benavides struck out 12 batters while walking only one. At one point, she retired eight straight batters.
Bell led the Tigers with remarkable offensive stats, recording two runs, two hits, two RBIs, and two stolen bases. Cummings contributed with a home run and two RBIs as Maddox had a home.
ETBU Top Performers
Tristen Maddox
- 1 home run
- 1 RBI
- OPS of 1.667
Emma Bell
- 2 runs scored
- 2 RBIs
- 2 stolen bases
Tauryn Cummings
- 2 RBIs
- 1 home run
- OPS of 2.667
Katelynn Jones
- 1 triple
- 1 RBI
- 1 stolen base
Hannah Benavides
- Complete game
- Shutout
- 12 strikeouts
ETBU will host Howard Payne in two final games on Saturday starting at 11:00 a.m.
