CLERMONT, Florida — In the opening matchups of the Spring Games, no. 8 East Texas Baptist University went 1-1, defeating Carthage College 5-4 and losing to Mount Union 2-0. ETBU totaled 10 hits on the day but struggled to bring in runs with 13 left on base.
Piper Morton hit a walk-off home run against Carthage College to score three runs and secure the win against the Firebirds.
Game One
ETBU 5, Carthage College 4
ETBU edged Carthage College 5-4 on Wednesday in a neutral-site matchup. The Tigers rallied with a decisive three-run seventh inning, securing the victory despite trailing after Carthage scored four runs in the fourth inning. The winning team tallied six hits, including a home run, while Carthage was limited to four hits in seven innings.
Izabella Morales contributed significantly with two hits, including a double, and scored two runs.
Piper Morton delivered a strong offensive performance, hitting a home run and collecting three RBIs.
Makayla Menchue added to the scoring with a double, driving in one run.
McKenzie Jones pitched seven innings, allowing four hits and striking out five batters, while walking two.
The first couple of innings were eventful as
Emma Boren walked and advanced on a walk to
Mallory Pyle, eventually scoring when Juju St. John reached on an error, giving ETBU a 1-0 lead after two innings.
The third inning saw
Izabella Morales double and score on a double by
Makayla Menchue, extending the lead to 2-0. Carthage responded in the fourth inning, scoring four runs on a series of hits and errors, taking a 4-2 lead. The Tigers' offense remained quiet until the seventh inning. Morales reached on an error, followed by a single from
Ava Rodriguez. Morton then delivered a crucial three-run homer, securing a comeback victory.
Tiger Top Performers
Izabella Morales
- 2 runs
- 2 hits
- 1 double
- 1 stolen base
Piper Morton
- 1 home run
- 3 RBIs
- 1 run
- 1 hit
Makayla Menchue
- 1 double
- 1 RBI
- 1 hit
McKenzie Jones
- 7 innings pitched
- 5 strikeouts
- 4 hits allowed
- 0 earned runs
Game Two
Mount Union 2, ETBU 0
In a low-scoring game, East Texas Baptist University fell to Mount Union 2-0. ETBU managed four hits but was unable to capitalize, stranding five runners on base. The Raiders secured the win with single runs in the first and fourth innings, while pitching a complete-game shutout.
Morales contributed with two hits in three at-bats ad Morton matched her performance with two hits as well.
Avery Holland pitched a complete game, allowing only one earned run over six innings and striking out three batters but took her first loss of the season.
Mount Union took an early lead against ETBU in the first inning with a double and later scored on a single. In the fourth inning, Mount Union added to its lead with a single and advanced to third on a passed ball. The Raiders then scored on an error, increasing their lead to 2-0. ETBU had a chance to respond in the sixth inning. Morales and Morton each singled, but the team was unable to capitalize, leaving two runners on base. Mount Union then held ETBU scoreless in the seventh to take the win.
Tiger Top Performers
Izabella Morales
- 2 hits
- 1.333 OPS
Piper Morton
- 2 hits
- 1.333 OPS
Avery Holland
- 6.0 innings pitched
- 3 strikeouts
- 4 hits allowed
- Complete game
ETBU will return to the Spring Games on Friday to face Swarthmore and William Peace at 8:00 a.m. and 10:15 a.m., respectively.
