MARSHALL, Texas – A seven-run, fifth-inning rally by no. 1 East Texas Baptist University propelled the Tigers to a 10-5 victory over LeTourneau University in the American Southwest Conference Championship Tournament. ETBU was down 5-0 in the game before coming back for the win and is now 38-3 on the year.
Tristen Maddox drove in two runs and recorded one hit.
Izabella Morales recorded three RBI and a double.
Emma Bell led with a team-high three hits, including a double and a stolen base.
Katelynn Jones scored two runs, had two hits with one RBI, and stole a base.
Larkin Daniels started the game going 2.1 innings, allowing four earned runs on four hits with two walks and one strikeout.
Hannah Benavides entered in relief and delivered an impressive 4.2 innings, conceding only one hit and two walks while striking out eight batters and moving to 8-1 on the year.
Both teams were unable to score in the first two innings, but in the third, LeTourneau took an early lead by scoring five runs. The Tigers responded in the bottom of the inning with two unearned runs, closing the gap to 5–2 after the third.
Mallory Pyle came in on a throwing error, and Morales recorded a sac fly for the first two runs.
The momentum shifted significantly in the fifth inning when ETBU's offense came alive. Bell's double sparked a rally, followed by Cummings' RBI double. Jones and Ellis added RBI singles, and Maddox delivered a two-RBI single to push the team ahead. Morales capped the inning with a two-RBI double, giving the Tigers a commanding 9–5 lead.
In the sixth inning, ETBU continued to build on their lead. Jones doubled and scored on consecutive wild pitches, extending the advantage to 10–5. Benavides continued strong pitching, striking out two batters in the seventh to end the game.
ETBU will now face Hardin-Simmons at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, hoping to advance to the ASC Championship game on Saturday.
Top Performers
Tristen Maddox
- 2 RBIs
- 1 hit
- .650 OPS
Izabella Morales
- 3 RBIs
- 1 double
- .917 OPS
Emma Bell
- 3 hits
- 1 double
- 1.750 OPS
Katelynn Jones
- 2 runs
- 2 hits
- 1 double
Mary Frances Ellis
- 2 runs
- 1 hit
- 2 walks
