MARSHALL, Texas —Earning a shutout victory to open the 2026 NCAA Division III Tournament, No. 6 East Texas Baptist University blanked Denison University, 8-0, at the Marshall, Texas Regional Tournament. A strong start in the first winning, scoring five runs, propelled
McKenzie Jones in the circle to record the one-hit five-inning shutout win.
Mallory Pyle drove in three runs with two hits, including a double, to lead the offensive charge.
Katelynn Jones scored two runs and had three stolen bases.
Izabella Morales contributed one run, one hit, and one RBI. Also adding a RBI were
Ava Rodriguez,
Emma Boren, Piper Morgan, and
Aleyna St. Jean.
McKenzie Jones delivered a standout performance, pitching a complete game with five innings of work. She allowed only one hit and issued 2 walks while striking out four batters. She retired the side in the third and fifth innings.
the first inning, the Tigers took a commanding lead with a five-run surge.
Katelynn Jones singled to center field and stole second and third base before Morales doubled to right field, bringing Jones home. Rodriguez's walk and
Makayla Menchue's single loaded the bases, and Boren was hit by a pitch, scoring Morales. Morton's walk added another run, and Pyle singled to left field to drive in Menchue. St. Jean's sacrifice fly capped the inning, scoring Boren for the 5-0 lead after the first.
Jones walked and stole second in the second inning, setting up a sacrifice fly by Rodriguez to score another run, extending the lead to 6-0.
The fourth inning saw the Tigers add two more runs. After
Julia St. John pinch ran for Menchue, Boren singled, advancing St. John. Pyle then doubled, driving in both Boren and St. John to end the game in a run-rule, 8-0.
ETBU will face Rowan University at 11:00 a.m. in the winner's bracket
ETBU Top Performers
Katelynn Jones
- 2 runs
- 3 stolen bases
- 2 walks
Izabella Morales
- 1 run
- 1 double
- 1 RBI
Mallory Pyle
- 2 hits
- 3 RBIs
- 1 double
McKenzie Jones
- 5 innings pitched
- 4 strikeouts
- 1 hit allowed
