MARSHALL, Texas – Capitalizing on a seven-run surge in the seventh inning, no. 1 East Texas Baptist University moved into the NCAA Division III Marshall, Texas Regional Championship for the third time in five years with a 13-3 victory over the University of St. Thomas. ETBU is now 42-3 as the softball program won its 45^th NCAA tournament game.
 
Izabella Morales led the Tigers, recording three hits in four at-bats, including a triple, and driving in five runs. Tristen Maddox scored three runs and collected two hits, including a double, while adding one stolen base. Emma Bell added three hits and two RBI, while Haylie Stum added three hits and one RBI. Madalyn Melton and Tauryn Cummings both had two hits and one RBI. Cummings' RBI came on a solo home run. Adding an RBI were Mallory Pyle and Sydney Green.
 
Avery Holland pitched a complete game, allowing eight hits and three runs over seven innings, with one earned run. Holland struck out two batters and walked two, retiring the side in the fourth inning.
In the first inning, the Tigers initiated the scoring with Maddox crossing the plate on an RBI double by Bell. St. Thomas (Tex.) quickly responded, scoring a run on a wild pitch to tie the game 1-1 after the first inning.
 
The second inning saw ETBU surge ahead, adding four runs to the scoreboard. Melton's single set the stage, followed by an RBI fielder's choice from Maddox, and a two-RBI single from Morales made it 4-1. Bell also contributed with an RBI single, giving the Tigers a 5-1 lead after two innings.
 
Cummings hit a solo home run in the fifth inning for her 11^th on the year, extending the lead to 6-2.
 
ETBU scored seven runs in the seventh inning to solidify its lead. The inning featured a crucial triple by Morales that drove in three runs. Melton, Stum, and Pyle produced singles for an RBI to make it 9-2. Green was then walked for the eight-run lead before Morales' bases-clearing triple for an 11-run advantage, 13-2.
 
St. Thomas (Tex.) scored a run in the fifth and seventh innings, but it was not enough to overcome the deficit.
 
The two teams will see each other again on Saturday in the Regional Championship game at 11:00 a.m.
 

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ETBU Top Performers
Tristen Maddox
- 3 runs scored
- 5 assists
 
Izabella Morales
- 3 hits
- 5 RBIs
 
Emma Bell
- 3 hits
- 2 RBIs
 
Tauryn Cummings
- 1 home run
 
Avery Holland
- 1 complete game pitched
-2 strikeouts
- 1 earned run