MARSHALL, Texas — Highlighted by four home runs, six doubles, and 20 hits, No. 23/26 East Texas Baptist University ended the regular season with a 21-4 victory over Howard Payne University on Senior Day at Tiger Ballpark at Woods Field. Four different players hit home runs as the team produced 21 RBIs, ending the regular season at 30-10. It is the fifth consecutive year to post 30+ victories and win the American Southwest Conference Regular Season Championship.
 
Carson Livesay recorded four hits and drove in two runs as Joaquin Costa added three hits, including a home run, while scoring four runs and collecting four RBIs. Connor Massimini hit a home run, scored twice, and drove in two runs as Justin Flannery delivered with a home run and four RBIs. Jobee Boone had three hits and one RBI, scoring three times, as Colby Wilson added three hits. Jaxen Derry had a pinch-hit RBI as Juan Ortigoza also provided an RBI. Raef Wright didn't have a hit but recorded two RBI on a hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded and a sacrifice fly. Judah Hill then had two RBI on one hit.
 
Matthew Irwin started the game, pitching 3 1/3 innings and allowing four runs on four hits while striking out three batters for the win. Nolan Bushko provided relief, contributing 1 2/3 innings with one hit allowed and one strikeout. Anthony Tellez and Carter May combined for one inning of work, and Vincent Armellio closed out the pitching effort, delivering one inning with one strikeout and allowing no runs.
 
The game opened with ETBU taking a decisive lead in the first inning. Livesay singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Massimini followed with a two-run homer. Boone doubled, setting the stage for Costa, who homered for two more runs. Ortigoza added a solo homer, giving the Tigers a 5-0 lead after the first inning.
 
In the second inning, the Tigers extended their lead. After Livesay's single, Massimini reached on a fielder's choice, but Boone's single moved Massimini to third. Boone's stolen base and a walk loaded the bases. Wright was hit by a pitch, scoring Massimini. Nathan Harmon doubled to clear the bases and score three. A groundout by Flannery brought in another run, followed by a double from Livesay that scored two more unearned runs for a 10-run led, 12-2, after two innings.
 
The fourth inning saw the Tigers add to their total. Wilson doubled and scored on Flannery's two-run homer. Livesay singled and scored along with Massimini, who had walked, on Costa's triple. Wright's sacrifice fly scored Costa, increasing the lead to 17-4 after four innings.
 
Boone reached on a single and advanced on a balk in the sixth inning, followed by Costa's walk. Hill doubled, scoring Boone and Costa. Derry tripled, bringing Hill home, and Flannery's single scored Derry, capping the scoring at 21-4.
 
ETBU will now host the ASC Championship Tournament Thursday through Saturday next week.
 

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ETBU Top Performers
Joaquin Costa
- 4 runs
- 3 hits
- 4 RBIs
- 1 home run
 
Carson Livesay
- 2 runs
- 4 hits
- 2 RBIs
- 1 double
 
Justin Flannery
- 1 run
- 2 hits
- 4 RBIs
- 1 home run
 
Connor Massimini
- 2 runs
- 1 hit
- 2 RBIs
- 1 home run