MARSHALL, Texas — Opening up the 2026 season with 21 runs on 22 hits, No. 9 East Texas Baptist University swept Austin College, 12-2, and 9-0. Makayla Menchue produced four hits for seven RBI, including two home runs and a double. Avery Holland and Alexix Kemp combined for 15 strikeouts and five hits. In her first collegiate start, Kemp earned a shutout with seven strikeouts.
 
Izabella Morales and Ava Rodriguez both had four RBI as Ryan Stratman was 4-of-7 with three RBI. Katelynn Jones and Mallory Pyle added one RBI. Morales and Emma Boren each had three hits.
 

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Game 1
ETBU 12, AC 2 (5 inn)
 
ETBU had a decisive 12-2 victory over Austin College with nine hits, including two home runs, and scored nine runs in the third inning to secure the win. Austin managed only two hits and two runs, both of which came in the third inning. Menchue led the team with two home runs and five RBIs, scoring two runs and collecting two hits. Stratman contributed with one hit and three RBIs soring one run.  Jones scored two runs and added one hit while drawing three walks and stealing a base. Boren tallied three hits and scored a run. Holland delivered a complete game performance over 5 1/3 innings, allowing two earned runs on two hits and two walks while striking out eight batters.
 
ETBU started strong in the first inning, capitalizing on base running and Austin's defensive errors. Jones walked, stole two bases, and scored on a ground out by Stratman. Morales also took advantage of a wild pitch and error to score, putting ETBU ahead 2–0.
 
In the third inning, Austin tied the score with two runs. However, the Tigers answered decisively in the bottom of the third. Aleyna St. Jean was hit by a pitch, followed by a two-run home run from Menchue, regaining the lead. ETBU continued their offensive surge, with Jones walking to bring home another run and Stratman adding an RBI single. Morales contributed with a sacrifice fly, and the inning was capped off by another three-run homer from Menchue, expanding the lead to 11–2.
 
ETBU added a final run in the fourth inning when pinch runner Julia St. John scored on a sacrifice fly by Stratman. Holland struck out the final two batters of the inning as ETBU took game one.
 
ETBU Top Performers >>
M. Menchue 
- 2 home runs 
- 5 RBIs 
- 2 runs 
 
A. Holland 
- 8 strikeouts 
- 5.1 innings pitched 
- 1 complete game 
 
K. Jones 
- 3 walks 
- 2 runs 
- 1 stolen base 
 
R. Stratman 
- 3 RBIs 
- 1 hit 
- 1 run 
 
I. Morales 
- 2 stolen bases 
- 2 walks 
- 1 RBI 
 

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Game 2
ETBU 8, AC 0 (5 inn)
 
ETBU secured a decisive 9-0 win in game two led by a 13-hit performance at the plate. The Tigers' pitching staff delivered a shutout, allowing just three hits and striking out seven batters through five innings. Morales scored two runs, collecting three hits, and driving in three runs, including a double. Stratman contributed with three runs and three hits. Rodriguez delivered three RBIs while also adding a stolen base. Menchue finished with two hits for two RBI as Pyle had one RBI. Kemp pitched four innings without allowing an earned run, striking out seven as McKenzie Jones came in for the final inning allowing no hits or runs to retain the shutout.
 
The Tigers established dominance early, capitalizing on key opportunities in the first two innings. In the first inning, Jones set the tone with a leadoff walk and promptly stole second. Stratman singled, and Morales delivered an RBI double, scoring Jones. A sacrifice fly by Rodriguez brought Stratman home, giving the Tigers a 2-0 lead.
 
The second inning proved decisive as ETBU extended its lead significantly. Aleyna St. Jean singled to start a rally, followed by a bunt single from Jones. Stratman added another single, loading the bases. Morales hit an RBI single, and Rodriguez followed with a sacrifice fly. The inning was capped by a two-RBI double from Menchue, widening the advantage to 7-0. In the third inning, Morales singled in Stratman making it 8-0 and Rodriguez finished the scoring with a single up the middle as Morales came in for the ninth run.
 
ETBU will host Belhaven University on Friday at 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
 
ETBU Top Performers >>
 
R. Stratman 
- 3 runs 
- 3 hits 
- 1 stolen base 
 
I. Morales 
- 2 runs 
- 3 hits 
- 3 RBIs 
- 1 double 
 
A. Kemp 
- 4.0 innings pitched 
- 0 earned runs 
- 7 strikeouts 
- 3 hits allowed 
 
A. Rodriguez 
- 3 RBIs 
- 1 hit 
- 1 stolen base 
 
M. Menchue 
- 1 run 
- 2 hits 
- 2 RBIs 
- 1 double