MARSHALL, Texas – Combining for eight runs in two later innings, No. 16/21 East Texas Baptist University took their first game of the 2026 American Southwest Conference Championship Tournament over Howard Payne University, 12-4. ETBU had 12 hits, with four doubles and a home run, that lifted them to the win after a 4-4 tie. Tied at four after the top of the seventh inning, ETBU scored four runs apiece in the bottom of the seventh and eighth innings for the eight-run win.
Connor Massimini had two hits and three RBIs, also drawing two walks and stealing a base.
Jobee Boone posted two hits and three RBIs, adding a double and swiping a base, while scoring twice.
Joaquin Costa recorded two hits, including two doubles, and crossed the plate twice.
Justin Flannery hit a home run, driving in two runs and drawing three walks.
Carter Nannini added two hits scoring twice.
Brody Tewers added two hits and one RBI as
Kahne Nolen posted two RBI and
Carson Livesay one RBI.
Tyler Bogusz pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing three earned runs on six hits while striking out two and walking one, securing his fourth win of the season. He retired the side in the third and sixth innings.
Jake Schumacher came in as a reliever, pitching 2 1/3 innings and earning his second save, striking out two batters. ETBU's defense also turned three double plays in the game.
ETBU took an early lead in the first inning when Nannini singled to right, followed by Costa's walk. Boone's single to right field brought home Nannini and Costa, putting them ahead 2–0.
In the fourth inning, Howard Payne scored its first run on a single and later scored on a sacrifice fly, closing the gap to 2–1.
ETBU extended its lead in the sixth inning. Tewers walked and advanced to second on a bunt before Flannery hit a two-run homer to left field, increasing the lead to 4–1.
The seventh inning saw Howard Payne slice into the lead with a three-run effort, highlighted by a two-run homer, making it 4–4. The Tigers quickly responded in the bottom half, with Costa doubling and scoring on Boone's double. Tewers' RBI single and Massimini's two-RBI single restored the lead to 8–4.
ETBU cemented its dominance in the eighth inning. Nolen's two-RBI double and a pair of bases-loaded walks contributed to a four-run inning, solidifying the win, 12-4.
ETBU will now face No. 3 seed Mary Hardin-Baylor in the winner's bracket on Friday at 3:00 p.m. pending weather.
ETBU Top Performers
Connor Massimini
- 2 hits
- 3 RBIs
- 2 walks
- 1 stolen base
Jobee Boone
- 2 hits
- 3 RBIs
- 2 walks
- 1 stolen base
Justin Flannery
- 1 home run
- 2 RBIs
- 3 walks
