ABILENE, Texas – Clinching the 2025 American Southwest Conference regular season championship, no. 1 East Texas Baptist University swept their second doubleheader over no. 25 Hardin-Simmons University, 6-1, and 5-3. ETBU finishes the regular season at 37-3 and 15-1 in the ASC and will host the post-season tournament May 8-10.
 
Ava Rodriguez led the team with three hits, a double, and home run, with six RBI. Katelynn Jones, Tauryn Cummings, Izabella Morales, and Tristen Maddox added two hits. Cummings, who had a home run, Morales, Maddox, and Madalyn Melton added a RBI.
 
Melton earned the win in game one going seven innings with three strikeouts giving up one earned run. McKenzie Jones received the win in relief pitching the final two innings only allowing two hits.
 

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Game 1
ETBU 6, HSU 1
A decisive four-run first inning was the difference in the game as ETBU clinched the ASC regular season championship over HSU, 6-1.
 
Rodriguez stood out with a team-leading four RBIs, including a home run and a double. Melton excelled both at the plate and in the circle, recording one RBI and pitching a complete game with seven innings, allowing one earned run and striking out three batters. Morales contributed with two hits and a run scored, while Emma Bell made an impact with a hit, a run, and a stolen base.
 
Melton pitched a complete game, securing her seventh win of the season with a record of 7-1. She worked seven innings, allowing eight hits and one earned run while striking out three and walking one.
 
ETBU started strong in the first inning, scoring four runs. Maddox walked and later scored on a hit by pitch to Melton. Rodriguez contributed with a double down the left field line, bringing in three runs. Hardin-Simmons responded with one run in the bottom half, making the score 4–1 after the first inning.
 
In the third inning, the Tigers added to their lead with a solo home run by Rodriguez four a four-run advantage, 5–1. ETBU continued to build their lead in the fourth inning. Bell scored stealing home, capitalizing on a defensive error by Hardin-Simmons. The Tigers led 6–1 at the end of the fourth.
 
Melton held down HSU the final three innings as ETBU won their 36^th game of the year.
 
Top Performers
Izabella Morales
- 2 hits in 4 at-bats
- 1 run scored
 
Emma Bell
- 1 hit and 1 run in 2 at-bats
- 1 stolen base
- 1 sacrifice hit
 
Tauryn Cummings
- 4 assists in the field
- 1 run scored
 
Madalyn Melton
- Complete game 7.0 innings pitched
- Allowed 1 earned run and 8 hits
- 3 strikeouts
 
Ava Rodriguez
- 2 hits including a double and a home run
- 4 RBIs
- 1 run scored
 

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Game 2
ETBU 5, HSU 3
 
Scoring two runs in the in seventh inning was the difference as ETBU made another comeback for the complete four-game sweep of a top 25 program, 5-3.
 
Maddox had two hits, two doubles, and one RBI as Rodriguez added two RBIs with one hit. Cummings showcased her power by hitting a home run and recording a double, finishing with one RBI and two hits.
 
Larkin Daniels went innings, allowing two hits, three runs, and issuing a walk while striking out five batters. In her outing, Daniels faced 13 batters to keep the first two innings scoreless before allowing runs in the third. Hannah Benavides came in relief, pitching two innings without allowing a run, conceding just one hit and one walk while striking out one. McKenzie Jones closed the game in the final two innings of scoreless pitching, giving up two hits and a walk as she moved to 7-0.
 
In the third inning, the Tigers broke the scoreless tie. Perseis Aguilar walked and advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Aleyna St. John. Maddox then delivered a crucial double to left, bringing Aguilar home. Maddox stole third and then scored on a sacrifice fly by Morales, putting ETBU ahead 2–0. Hardin-Simmons responded in the bottom of the third, capitalizing on a bases-loaded situation with a three-run double to left, giving the Cowgirls a 3–2 lead after three innings.
 
ETBU immediately narrowed the gap in the fourth inning. Cummings homered to left center, tying the game at 3–3. ETBU then held Hardin-Simmons scoreless in the bottom half, maintaining the tie going into the fifth inning.
 
In the seventh inning, the ETBU secured their lead. With runners on base, Rodriguez singled down the right field line, driving in two runs and pushing ETBU ahead 5–3. Melton retired the first two batters in the seventh and after a walk the game ended on a ground out as ETBU moved to 37-3.
 
Top Performers
Tristen Maddox
- 2 hits in 3 at-bats
- 2 doubles
- 1 RBI
 
Ava Rodriguez
- 1 hit in 4 at-bats
- 2 RBIs
- RBI with bases loaded: 1
 
Tauryn Cummings
- 2 hits in 4 at-bats
- 1 double
- 1 home run