MARSHALL, Texas – Using a decisive 10-run third inning, no. 1 East Texas Baptist University opened the NCAA Division III Tournament with a 13-1 victory over Marymount University. After scoring three runs in the first two innings, ETBU unloaded for a 10-run inning to secure the win, moving to 41-3.
Tristen Maddox had three runs, three hits, a RBI, and two stolen bases to lead the team.
Madalyn Melton recorded two runs and two RBI on two doubles.
Ava Rodriguez,
Makayla Menchue,
Katelynn Jones, and
Mary Frances Ellis added an RBI.
Izabella Morales also added two RBI on one hit.
McKenzie Jones pitched a complete game for the Tigers, allowing just one earned run over five innings. Jones recorded four strikeouts and issued only one walk, facing 18 batters and giving up just two hits. She retired the first nine batters of the game before Marymount had their first hit in the fourth inning.
ETBU started the game strong in the first inning, with Maddox doubling to right center and eventually scoring on Rodriguez's hit by pitch, taking an early 1-0 lead. In the second inning, Maddox continued to impact the game with another double, bringing home Ellis. Morales followed with a double of her own, scoring Maddox and extending the lead to 3-0.
The third inning saw a significant offensive surge from the Tigers, tallying 10 runs. The inning started with a sacrifice fly by K. Jones, scoring Julia St. John, and a passed ball allowing Melton to score. Ellis contributed with an RBI single, while Morales and Melton added to the score with RBIs. Defensive miscues by Marymount, including errors and passed balls, further contributed to the scoring explosion, leaving ETBU leading 13-0 after the third.
Marymount scored in the fourth inning, but only had one runner in the fifth with a leadoff walk. A double play and a flyout ended the game as ETBU moved on in the winner's bracket.
ETBU will face the University of St. Thomas, Texas, in the winner's bracket on Friday at 11:00 a.m.
Top Performers
Tristen Maddox
- 3 runs
- 3 hits
- 2 stolen bases
Madalyn Melton
- 2 runs
- 2 RBI
McKenzie Jones
- 5.0 innings pitched
- 1 complete game
- 4 strikeouts
Izabella Morales
- 1 double
- 2 RBI
Mary Frances Ellis
- 2 runs
- 1 RBI
