COLUMBUS, Ga. — Day Two of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Leadoff Classic was a high-scoring affair for East Texas Baptist University. The Tigers beat Pomona-Pitzer 7-3 and run-ruled DePauw 13-2 in the fifth inning. ETBU scored 20 runs in 12 total innings.
Avery Holland and
McKenzie Jones both pitched complete games with a combined 17 strikeouts.
Piper Morton and
Emma Boren both recorded four hits each, while
Katelynn Jones and
Makayla Menchue recorded four runs, and Ava Rodriquez recorded three runs.
Game One
ETBU 7, Pomona-Pitzer 3
With an incredible bottom of the third performance, East Texas Baptist University defeated Pomona-Pitzer 7-3 in its third game played in the NFCA Leadoff Classic. ETBU secured an early lead with a four-run third inning, highlighted by timely hitting and aggressive base running, including three stolen bases.
McKenzie Jones struck out 11 batters over seven innings, allowing just four hits, while Pomona-Pitzer's scoring was limited to a three-run surge in the third inning.
Katelynn Jones posted an impressive performance, scoring three runs and stealing two bases.
Ryan Stratman contributed with two RBIs and added a stolen base to her tally.
Ava Rodriguez recorded one run and one RBI, highlighted by a double.
In the first inning, K. Jones walked and later scored on a Rodriguez double, giving ETBU an early lead. The score was 1-0.
The third inning brought significant action. After Pomona-Pitzer scored three runs to take the lead, the Tigers responded with a four-run rally. K. Jones was hit by a pitch and scored along with Stratman on a Menchue single. Morton then tripled, bringing in two more runs. By the end of the inning, the Tigers were ahead 5-3.
In the sixth inning, ETBU extended its lead. Stratman brought in
Aleyna St. Jean, who pinch ran for Boren, and K. Jones with a groundout. This increased the lead to 7-3.
The Tigers maintained their lead, shutting out Pomona-Pitzer in the final inning to secure the win. Final score: ETBU 7, Pomona-Pitzer 3.
Tiger Top Performers
Katelynn Jones
- 3 runs
- 2 stolen bases
- 2 hits
Ryan Stratman
- 2 RBIs
- 1 run
- 1 stolen base
Ava Rodriguez
- 1 double
- 1 RBI
- 1 run
Makayla Menchue
- 2 RBIs
- 1 run
- 1 hit
McKenzie Jones
- 7 innings pitched
- 11 strikeouts
- 4 hits allowed
Game Two
ETBU 13, DePauw 2
In dominant fashion, East Texas Baptist University run-ruled DePauw 13-2 in a in the fifth inning. ETBU's offense started strong, scoring four runs in the first inning and adding seven more in the second.
Katelynn Jones and
Izabella Morales led the 9-hit performance, while
Avery Holland pitched a complete game, allowing just two earned runs over five innings. DePauw managed two runs in the third inning but struggled defensively with three errors.
Rodriguez made a significant impact by scoring two runs, hitting a home run, and collecting two RBIs while also stealing two bases. Boren contributed with two doubles, driving in two runs and scoring twice. Morton matched her teammates with two hits and two RBIs, adding two runs to the tally.
The Tigers secured a decisive 13-2 victory over DePauw. In the first inning, the Tigers quickly established a lead as K. Jones walked and later scored on Rodriguez's two-run home run. Menchue added to the momentum with a single and advanced on an error, allowing Morton to drive her in with a single. Boren's RBI double capped the inning, giving ETBU a 4-0 lead.
The second inning saw the Tigers extend their lead significantly. Morales walked and eventually scored on a wild pitch. Rodriguez walked and stole bases, scoring on an error. Morton and Boren each contributed RBI hits.
Lauren Vallery's two-RBI double further widened the gap, putting ETBU ahead 11-0 after two innings.
In the third inning, DePauw managed to score twice, but the Tigers responded with two runs of their own. Menchue walked and scored on a single by Julia St. John, while Boren crossed home on a bases-loaded walk by K. Jones. This brought the score to 13-2 in ETBU's favor.
With no further scoring in the following innings, the Tigers maintained their commanding lead to secure the win. The final score was ETBU 13, DePauw 2.
Tiger Top Performers
Ava Rodriguez
- 2 runs
- 1 home run
- 2 RBIs
- 2 stolen bases
Emma Boren
- 2 runs
- 2 doubles
- 2 RBIs
- 1 walk
Julia St. John
- 1 run
- 2 hits
- 2 RBIs
- 1 stolen base
Avery Holland
- 5 innings pitched
- 6 strikeouts
- 0 walks
- 1 complete game
ETBU plays No. 1 Trine at 8 a.m. (CST), Then Denison at 10 a.m. (CST) Sunday in the NFCA Leadoff Classic finale.
