FOREST GROVE, Ore. — After coming back to take the lead in the ninth inning, East Texas Baptist University (7-6) gave up four runs in the bottom of the inning as Pacific University (Ore.) (5-8) came away with the narrow win over the Tigers, 8-7. ETBU had only five hits in the game for four runs scored.
 
Matthew Irwin pitched six innings, allowing only two earned runs while recording four strikeouts. Carson Livesay led the team with two hits, including a double, and drove in one run. Kaden Wharton scored twice, collected one hit, and added an RBI. Joaquin Costa tallied one hit and drove in a run.
 
After Irwin's solid start, Conner Smeltzer went two innings, giving up four earned runs on two hits and three walks. Nolan Bushko went 0.1 innings for the loss, allowing two earned runs on one hit. Tyler Bogusz faced one batter with  a walk and with the winning run coming in on a passed ball.
 
ETBU began to rally in the sixth inning when Livesay doubled to left field and later scored on a single by Kaden Wharton, narrowing the gap to 2-1. Pacific (Ore.) capitalized on defensive errors in their half of the sixth, scoring two runs to take a 2-1 lead after six innings.
 
In the seventh inning, Nolen scored an unearned run after being hit by a pitch and advancing on an error, leveling the score at 2-2. Pacific (Ore.) did not score in their half, keeping the game tied after seven innings.
 
ETBU added a run in the eighth when Wharton was hit by a pitch and eventually scored on Brody Tewers' groundout, briefly taking a 3-2 lead. Pacific (Ore.) responded with two runs on a single, reclaiming a 4-3 lead heading into the ninth inning.
 
In the ninth, the Tigers mounted a comeback. Jaxen Derry, running as a pinch runner, and Jobee Boone both scored on Justin Flannery's fielder's choice and an error. The team added two more runs, with Wharton and Joaquin Costa crossing the plate, giving East Tex. Baptist a 7-4 lead. However, Pacific (Ore.) rallied in the bottom of the ninth, scoring four runs to secure an 8-7 victory.
 
The Tigers will face Pacific (OR) on Saturday, March 7 at 1 p.m. CT in Forest Grove, Ore.
 
East Tex. Baptist Top Performers
 
Carson Livesay
- 2 hits
- 1 double
- 1 RBI
 
Kaden Wharton
- 2 runs
- 1 hit
- 1 RBI
- 1 stolen base
 
Matthew Irwin
- 6.0 innings pitched
- 4 strikeouts
- 4 hits allowed
- 2 earned runs