#TIGERSWIN | SB | ETBU Goes 2-0 in The Spring Games Finale
CLERMONT, Florida — East Texas Baptist University wrapped up the Spring Games with a doubleheader sweep, blanking Coe College 5-0 and defeating Lake Forest 10-3 in softball action Sunday. The Tigers tallied 15 runs on 11 hits, drew eight walks, and were hit by a pitch three times. Ryan Statman paced ETBU at the plate with 5 hits, two runs scored, and one RBI. Ava Rodriquez drove in a team-high three runs, while
Katelynn Jones crossed the plate four times.
Izabella Morales added three runs.
McKenzie Jones threw a complete-game shutout against Coe.
Game One
ETBU 5, Coe College 0
ETBU defeated Coe College 5-0 in a shutout victory in Saturday's first game. ETBU broke open the scoring in the third inning with four runs and added another in the fourth.
McKenzie Jones pitched a complete game, allowing only two hits and striking out nine, while the defense held Coe scoreless.
Katelynn Jones tallied two runs, one hit, and a stolen base, contributing to her team's efforts.
Ryan Stratman recorded two hits and a run, showcasing consistency at the plate.
Izabella Morales added a hit, a double, and an RBI, while also scoring a run. Jones pitched a complete game shutout, allowing only two hits across seven innings and striking out nine batters.
ETBU secured a decisive 5-0 victory against Coe, driven by strong performances in the third and fourth innings.
In the third inning, the Tigers broke the scoreless tie. Jones was hit by a pitch, followed by a bunt single by Stratman. Morales doubled to left center, driving in Jones.
Ava Rodriguez then singled to center, allowing Stratman to score. A throwing error by Coe's catcher enabled Morales and Rodriguez to reach home, pushing the lead to 4-0 by the end of the inning.
The offensive momentum continued into the fourth inning. Jones doubled and advanced to third on Stratman's groundout. She then stole home, increasing the lead to 5-0.
ETBU's defense, led by pitcher Jones, maintained the shutout, allowing only two hits and striking out nine over seven innings. The final score stood at 5-0 in favor of the Tigers.
Tiger Top Performers
Katelynn Jones
- 2 runs
- 1 double
- 1 stolen base
Ryan Stratman
- 1 run
- 2 hits
- 1 stolen base
Izabella Morales
- 1 run
- 1 double
- 1 RBI
McKenzie Jones
- 7 innings
- 9 strikeouts
- 2 hits allowed
- Complete game shutout
Game Two
ETBU 10, Lake Forest 3
ETBU defeated Lake Forest 10–3 in the last game of the Spring Games. The Tigers capitalized on Lake Forest's five errors and secured a commanding lead with a five-run second inning. The offense recorded 13 hits and stole six bases, while the pitching staff limited Lake Forest to four hits and three runs over seven innings.
Katelynn Jones made a notable impact by scoring two runs, recording two RBIs, and stealing two bases.
Ryan Stratman led with three hits and added one RBI to her performance.
Piper Morton also contributed three hits, including a double, and collected one RBI.
Avery Holland pitched a complete game, striking out seven batters over seven innings.
East Tex. Baptist secured a decisive victory over Lake Forest with a final score of 10–3. In the first inning, Jones scored the opening run after Morton's single to left field. The inning concluded with ETBU leading 1–0.
The second inning saw the Tigers extend their lead with five runs.
Makayla Menchue and
Mallory Pyle both reached base, and
Aleyna St. Jean's single loaded them. Jones reached on an error, allowing two runs to score. Stratman's bunt single brought in another run, and aggressive base running saw both Jones and Stratman score on steals, setting the score at 6–0.
In the third inning, Lake Forest managed to get on the board with a run, but ETBU maintained a 6–1 lead.
In the fourth inning, the team added another run with
Izabella Morales scoring on a sacrifice fly by
Ava Rodriguez. The Tigers led 7–1 at the end of the inning.
During the sixth inning, ETBU added three more runs. Morales scored on a sacrifice fly by
Emma Boren, and Morton came home on Rodriguez's single. Julia St. John, running for Rodriguez, stole second, advanced to third on an error, and scored. Lake Forest responded with two runs, but the Tigers' lead remained strong at 10–3.
The seventh inning saw no additional runs from either team, resulting in a final score of ETBU 10, Lake Forest 3.
Tigers Top Performers
Ryan Stratman
- 3 hits
- 1 RBI
- 1 stolen base
Piper Morton
- 3 hits
- 1 RBI
- 1 double
Ava Rodriguez
- 2 hits
- 2 RBIs
- 1 sacrifice fly
Avery Holland
- 7 innings pitched
- 7 strikeouts
- 4 hits allowed
ETBU will return home after a 16-game road stretch on Tuesday to face the University of Dallas at 4:00 and 6:00 p.m.
