MARSHALL, Texas – Holding off a late rally from LeTourneau University, no. 25/29 East Texas Baptist University won their second American Southwest Conference Tournament Championship in three years, 9-8, over the Yellowjackets. ETBU earns its third straight trip to the NCAA Division III National Tournament and is 28-14 on the year.
"This was a really hard fought battle. I thought we did a really good job of working counts early in the game, getting pitches to hit, and taking what they gave us. The offense put up some runs early and pretty consistent throughout the game," said head coach
Jared Hood. "When you get an effort from the mound like you did today from Landry we are going to be in a position to win and we found a way to finish it."
Joaquin Costa hit a home run and drove in three runs to lead in RBIs.
Connor Massimini also added a home run for two RBI.
Luke Bumpus added two hits and two RBI, while
Luke Finn had two hits.
Landry Powell pitched six innings with no earned runs, allowing five hits and striking out five batters while issuing two walks, moving to 2-0.
Jackson Jones contributed 1.1 innings, giving up two earned runs on three hits with two strikeouts and a walk.
Braden Karnes recorded 0.2 innings without allowing a hit or run, striking out one batter.
Brayden Hodge faced three batters and allowed three earned runs on one hit and 1 walk, while
Carson Speegle pitched one inning, giving up 3 earned runs on four hits, striking out one batter.
ETBU began strong in the bottom of the first inning, with Finn drawing a walk and Costa hitting a home run to bring in two runs. This early offensive effort put the Tigers ahead 2-0 after the first inning. In the second inning, ETBU continued its momentum. Chavez walked to start, followed by
Dylan Burnaman being hit by a pitch. A bunt single by Finn loaded the bases, which led to a fielder's choice, and a subsequent play saw two more runs cross the plate, extending the lead to 4-0.
In the third inning, Massimini contributed further to the Tigers' advantage with a solo home run, pushing the score to 5-0. The home team capitalized again in the fourth inning when Chavez and Burnaman both reached base via a walk and a hit by pitch. Three consecutive hit by pitches and a sacrifice fly by Massimini brought three more runs home, increasing the lead to 8-0.
ETBU kept their defensive pressure, holding LeTourneau scoreless through the next several innings. In the sixth inning, the Tigers added an insurance run when Bumpus doubled and later scored on a fielding error, making it 9-0.
LeTourneau managed to break through in the eighth inning with two runs, cutting into the deficit. In a tense ninth inning, LeTourneau mounted a significant rally, scoring six runs, highlighted by a grand slam. With two outs and the tying run on third base, Speegle ended the game with a strikeout as ETBU celebrated the ASC Championship.
ETBU will now wait to see where they will land in the NCAA Tournament on Monday, May 12.
Top Performers
Joaquin Costa
- 1 home run
- 3 RBIs
- 1 hit
Connor Massimini
- 1 home run
- 2 RBIs
- 2 walks
Landry Powell
- 6 innings pitched
- 5 strikeouts
- 0 earned runs
Luke Finn
- 2 runs scored
- 2 hits
- 2 walks
Game Notes
- Second ASC Championship in program history
- Second time ETBU has won the ASC Championship on their home field
- ETBU has won 15 out of the last 16 meetings vs. LeTourneau
- ASC Most Outstanding Player –
Jagger Neely
- ASC All-Tournament: Neely,
Nicolas Chavez,
Joaquin Costa,
Matthew Irwin,
Landry Powell