Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2
COLUMBUS, Ga. — In the first two games of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Leadoff Classic, East Texas Baptist University went 1-1, defeating No. 13 Emory 4-0 but losing to No. 23 Berry 3-0.
Game One
ETBU 4, Emory 0
ETBU secured a 4-0 victory over Emory University on Friday, with two runs scored in both the second and third innings.
Avery Holland pitched a complete game shutout, allowing only two hits and striking out six batters. ETBU's offense drew seven walks and capitalized on Emory's pitching, tallying five hits in the win.
The game started quietly with neither team scoring in the first inning.
In the second inning,
Makayla Menchue walked and later scored on a single by
Piper Morton. Morton then advanced to third and scored on a hit-by-pitch to
Ryan Stratman, giving the Tigers a 2-0 lead after two innings.
The third inning saw further success for ETBU.
Ava Rodriguez singled and Menchue walked, setting the stage for
Aleyna St. Jean's bases-loaded walk that brought Rodriguez home.
Katelynn Jones followed with another walk, forcing in Menchue to extend the lead to 4-0 after three innings.
The Tigers maintained their lead throughout the remainder of the game with strong pitching, culminating in a complete-game shutout. Final score: ETBU 4, Emory 0.
Tigers Top Performers
Avery Holland
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- Complete game
- Shutout
- 7 innings pitched
- 6 strikeouts
Makayla Menchue
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- 2 runs
- 2 walks
Piper Morton
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- 1 run
- 1 hit
- 1 RBI
Game Two
ETBU 0, Berry 3
ETBU took its first loss of the season to Berry, 3-0. Despite a solid performance from
Alexis Kemp, who pitched six innings and allowed only three hits, the ETBU offense was unable to capitalize, managing just four hits. Berry took an early lead with a run in the first inning and added two more in the fifth.
Rodriguez posted a strong performance at the plate, recording one hit and drawing one walk, resulting in a 1.167 OPS. Kemp pitched a complete game, allowing three earned runs on three hits over six innings while striking out two batters.
Izabella Morales contributed with a hit in three at-bats, maintaining a .667 OPS.
Mallory Pyle also added a hit in her three at-bats, contributing defensively with one assist.
Berry took an early lead in the bottom of the first inning with a double and later scored on a sacrifice fly. This put Berry ahead 1-0 after one inning. In the fifth inning, Berry extended its lead with a single and scored on a sacrifice fly. Berry then scored on a fielder's choice. The inning concluded with Berry leading 3-0.
Despite the Tigers' efforts, including a single by Morton in the fifth and another single by Morales in the sixth, the team was unable to score. The game ended with a final score of Berry 3, ETBU 0.
Tiger Top Performers
Ava Rodriguez
- 1 hit
- 1 walk
- OPS: 1.167
Alexis Kemp
- 6 innings pitched
- 3 hits allowed
- 2 strikeouts
- Complete game
Piper Morton
- 1 hit
- OPS: .667
Izabella Morales
- 1 hit
- OPS: .667
ETBU will return tomorrow to continue playing in the NFCA Leadoff Classic, facing Pomona-Pitzer at 9:00 a.m. (CST) and DePauw at 11:30 a.m. (CST).
