GEORGETOWN, Texas — In their first road test of the year, no. 9 East Texas Baptist University (6-0) delivered a commanding performance sweeping Willamette University (2-6) with a 10-2 run-rule victory in game one and a 9-3 win in game two at Taylor-Sanders Field. ETBU is now 6-0 on the year.
Izabella Morales and
Ava Rodriguez both had four hits in the two games. Morales posted four RIB and a triple while Rodriguez had six RBI with a double and a home run.
Ryan Stratman and
Makayla Menchue added three hits each. Menchue recorded three RBI while Katelyn Jones,
Aleyna St. Jean, and
Emma Boren all had one RBI.
Avery Holland, with three strikeouts, and
Alexis Kemp, with 10 strikeouts, earned the wins.
Game 1
ETBU 10, Willamette 2
ETBU's offense was fueled by two home runs, sparking a four-run third inning and a three-run fourth. The game ended after five innings, with the Tigers tallying 11 hits while holding Willamette to just four.
Morales led the way with three runs and three hits, adding an RBI and a stolen base. Rodriguez contributed two hits—including a home run—and drove in four runs. Menchue added two hits, a home run, and three RBIs.
Katelynn Jones and Stratman each notched two hits and two runs. Holland went the distance, allowing one earned run and striking out three over five innings.
ETBU seized control in the third inning, turning a close 3–2 game into a comfortable lead. Jones led off with a single, followed by base hits from Morales and Rodriguez to load the bases. Rodriguez then delivered a two-run single, aided by a Willamette error. Menchue followed with an RBI single, and a passed ball brought in another run, extending the lead to 7–2.
ETBU set the tone early in the first inning. Jones singled and stole second, coming around to score on Morales' RBI single. Menchue followed with a two-run home run to extend the lead. Rodriguez's two-run homer in the fourth capped a three-run frame, putting the game out of reach. ETBU's defense held strong, shutting down Willamette's offense after the second inning to secure the win.
Holland pitched a complete game, allowing just two runs over five innings and improved to 3-0 on the season with the win.
Tiger Top Performers
Morales
3 runs
3 hits
1 RBI
1 stolen base
Rodriguez
2 runs
2 hits
4 RBIs
1 home run
Menchue
1 run
2 hits
3 RBIs
1 home run
Holland
Complete game
5.0 innings pitched
3 strikeouts
1 earned run
Game 2
ETBU 9 Willamette 3
ETBU capitalized on Willamette's defensive miscues, scoring twice in both the first and second innings and adding three more runs in the sixth. The Tigers collected eight hits and drew seven walks, while their pitching staff struck out 10 and allowed seven hits. Willamette mounted a three-run rally in the fifth but could not overcome the deficit.
Morales delivered a three-run triple, sparking the offense. Kemp pitched a complete game, striking out ten and allowing three earned runs over seven innings with seven hits moving to 2-0 on the year. Jones was a force on the basepaths, scoring twice and stealing three bases. St. Jean added two hits, two runs, and a stolen base.
Willamette narrowed the gap in the fifth inning with a series of extra-base hits, scoring three runs to make it a 4-3 contest. The Tigers responded in the sixth: After a hit-by-pitch and a sacrifice bunt moved a runner, St. Jean walked and stole second. Morales then delivered a three-run triple down the right-field line, stretching the lead to 7-3.
ETBU pulled away in the seventh, capitalizing on more Willamette errors. Stratman singled and scored on an error, while another miscue allowed Jones to reach base and drive in
Mallory Pyle for the 9-3 lead.
ETBU will face host Southwestern University on Sunday at 12:00 p.m.
Tiger Top Performers
K. Jones
2 runs
3 stolen bases
I. Morales
1 run
1 triple
3 RBIs
A. Rodriguez
2 hits
1 double
2 RBIs
A. Jean
2 runs
2 hits
1 RBI
2 stolen bases
A. Kemp
7.0 innings pitched
10 strikeouts
Complete game
