AUSTIN, Texas — In a Thursday matchup, No. 6 East Texas Baptist University defeated No. 22 Concordia (TX) 4-3 and 4-1 at an away doubleheader. Offensively, Izabella Morales, Aleyna St. Jean, and Ava Rodriquez led the way. Morales recorded five hits, one run, and batted in two. St. Jean recorded five hits and three runs, while Rodriguez had four hits. Avery Holland and McKenzie Jones both pitched complete games with only four total runs allowed between the two of them. Holland recorded five strikeouts, and Jones recorded three. Makayla Menchue led the team with 22 putouts from first base, with Emma Boren and Mallory Pyle combining for 11 assists.
Game One
ETBU 4, Concordia (TX) 3
ETBU narrowly defeated Concordia (TX) Texas with a 4-3 victory. ETBU rallied with three runs in the third inning, highlighted by effective team hitting that tallied eight hits and no errors. Concordia responded with two runs in the fourth, but the Tigers' pitching staff held firm, striking out five to secure the win.
Avery Holland pitched a complete game, recording five strikeouts over 7 innings, yielding three earned runs. Izabella Morales contributed offensively with two hits, one RBI, and a stolen base, maintaining a 1.000 OPS. Ava Rodriguez added two hits, including a double, achieving a 1.667 OPS. Aleyna St. Jean scored twice and collected two hits, providing significant support at the plate.
Concordia took an early lead in the first inning with a single up the middle, driving in a run. ETBU trailed 1-0 at the end of the first inning.
The Tigers' offense came alive in the third inning. Mallory Pyle and St. Jean both singled to set the stage. Ryan Stratman reached on a fielder's choice, allowing Pyle and St. Jean to score, helped by an error. Morales then singled, and Piper Morton grounded out, driving in Stratman for an unearned run. ETBU led 3-1 after the third inning.
Concordia responded in the fourth inning with a two-RBI single, leveling the score at 3-3.
In the fifth inning, the Tigers regained the lead. St. Jean singled and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Stratman. Morales then delivered a single to left center, bringing St. Jean home. ETBU moved ahead 4-3 at the end of the fifth inning.
The remainder of the game saw no further scoring. The Tigers' pitching and defense held Concordia scoreless in the final innings, securing a 4-3 victory.
Tiger Top Performers
Izabella Morales
- 2 hits
- 1 RBI
- 1 stolen base
Ava Rodriguez
- 2 hits
- 1 double
- 1.667 OPS
Avery Holland
- Complete game
- 7 innings
- 5 strikeouts
Game Two
ETBU 4, Concordia (TX) 1
ETBU capitalized early with three runs in the first inning and added another in the sixth, totaling 10 hits. McKenzie Jones pitched a complete game, allowing just four hits and one earned run. Concordia managed a single run in the fourth inning but was unable to narrow the gap further.
Izabella Morales led the offense with three hits, including two doubles and one RBI. Jones delivered a complete-game victory, allowing just one earned run and striking out three across 7 innings. Aleyna St. Jean contributed with two hits, one run, and a stolen base. Mallory Pyle was solid defensively, recording four assists from third base.
ETBU took an early lead in the first inning. Kate Jones walked and advanced to second with a steal. Ryan Stratman reached base on an error by third base, allowing Jones to score. Morales doubled down the left-field line, advancing Stratman to third. Piper Morton singled up the middle, driving in Stratman. Emma Boren's sacrifice fly brought Morales home, making it 3–0. The score remained 3–0 at the end of the first inning.
In the fourth inning, Concordia narrowed the gap. A single set up a run scored by on an RBI single to right field. The inning ended with the Tigers leading 3–1.
ETBU extended its lead in the sixth inning. St. Jean singled and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Morales hit a double to third base, scoring St. Jean. The inning concluded with ETBU ahead 4–1.
Jones pitched a complete game for the Tigers, allowing four hits and one earned run, while striking out three. The final score was ETBU 4, Concordia 1.
Tiger Top Performers
Izabella Morales
- 3 hits
- 2 doubles
- 1 RBI
- 1 stolen base
McKenzie Jones
- Complete game
- 7 innings pitched
- 4 hits allowed
- 3 strikeouts
Aleyna St. Jean
- 2 hits
- 1 run
- 1 stolen base
Emma Boren
- 1 hit
- 1 RBI
- 2 assists
ETBU will resume conference play next week, traveling to Howard Payne for a doubleheader on Friday and another on Saturday.
