COLUMBUS, Ga. — Closing out the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Leadoff Classic, East Texas Baptist University went 1-1 on Sunday, losing to No. 1 Trine and picking up a win against Denison. The Tigers' defense played well with 39 putouts and 18 assists on the day. Offensively,
Aleyna St. Jean and
Makayla Menchue led the team in RBI's, both with two on the day. Juju St. John led the team in runs scored through two games with two.
Game One
ETBU 4, Trine 9
In a top-10 matchup, ETBU fell to No. 1 Trine, 9-4. ETBU tied it with three runs in the fifth, but couldn't answer Trine's six-run bottom half. ETBU had four hits and four RBIs; Trine tallied seven hits, including two home runs and a triple.
Emma Boren had two hits, one run, and four assists.
Mallory Pyle recorded two hits, a double, and an RBI.
Aleyna St. Jean earned an RBI with a bases-loaded walk.
Macie Lee threw a scoreless inning without a hit.
Trine took an early lead in the first inning with an RBI triple, then added another run on an error to go up 2-0.
In the fifth, the Tigers answered with three runs. Mathis, running for Boren, scored on St. Jean's walk. Pyle and St. John also scored on a walk and a fielder's choice. Trine responded with six runs in the bottom half, including a grand slam, for a 9-3 lead.
ETBU scored once more in the sixth when Boren singled and scored on Pyle's hit. The Tigers didn't score again, and Trine claimed the 9-4 win.
Tiger Top Performers
Emma Boren
- 2 hits
- 1 run
- 4 assists
Mallory Pyle
- 2 hits
- 1 double
- 1 RBI
Macie Lee
- 1 inning pitched
- 0 hits allowed
- 5 strikes thrown
Game Two
ETBU 4, Denison 0
A strong defensive showing led ETBU to a 4-0 win over Denison in the team's Leadoff Classic finale. The Tigers had 10 hits, including two doubles.
Avery Holland pitched a complete game shutout, allowing three hits and striking out five. ETBU capitalized with two first-inning runs, adding single runs in the third and fourth.
Holland threw seven shutout innings with five strikeouts and three hits allowed. Menchue went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. St. John had two hits, two stolen bases, and a run. Boren made five assists at shortstop.
Katelynn Jones singled and later scored on Menchue's RBI single in the first. Morton followed with a double to drive in Menchue for a 2-0 lead.
Izabella Morales singled and stole second in the third inning, then scored on Menchue's double to make it 3-0.
St. John singled in the fourth, advanced to third, and scored on St. Jean's sacrifice fly for the final run.
The Tigers' defense held Denison scoreless to complete the shutout. ETBU won 4-0.
Tiger Top Performers
Makayla Menchue
- 2 hits
- 2 RBIs
- 1 double
- 1 walk
Avery Holland
- 7 innings pitched
- 3 hits allowed
- 5 strikeouts
- Complete game shutout
Juju St. John
- 2 hits
- 1 run
- 2 stolen bases
Piper Morton
- 1 hit
- 1 RBI
- 1 double
ETBU will head to Clermont Florida, to play in the Spring Games with its first game starting at 10:30 a.m. (CST)
