MARSHALL, Texas — Continuing the balance of strong pitching and hitting, No. 6 East Texas Baptist University (39-4) collected their second consecutive shutout in the NCAA Division III Tournament in a 7-0 victory over Rowan University at the Marshall, Texas Regional.
Ava Rodriguez hit two home runs and
Avery Holland recorded five strikeouts for her 19
th win of the year as ETBU advanced to the Marshall, Texas Regional Championship game.
Rodriguez finished with three hits and two home runs, driving in four runs.
Ryan Stratman contributed three hits, two RBIs, and two stolen bases.
Katelynn Jones scored three times and had two stolen bases.
Makayla Menchue also had a RBI.
Holland delivered a commanding performance for the Tigers pitching a complete game, seven-inning victory. She allowed just four hits with one walk while striking out five moving to 19-1 on the year.
The scoring began in the first inning when Jones walked, and Stratman singled, advancing Jones.
Izabella Morales then executed a sacrifice bunt, setting up Rodriguez to hit a three-run homer, bringing in Jones and Stratman for the 3-0 lead.
In the third inning, Rodriguez added to the lead with another home run, a solo shot, extending the advantage to 4-0. The fifth inning saw Jones walk again and steal second, followed by Stratman's single, advancing Jones to third. A walk to
Makayla Menchue with the bases loaded brought Jones home, increasing the lead to 5-0.
During the sixth inning, a pinch-hit single by
Kayleigh Cassels and a subsequent stolen base by
Julia St. John set the stage for Stratman to drive in two more runs with a single, pushing the score to 7-0.
Holland retired the side in the first, fifth, and sixth innings and struck out the final two batters of the game for the win.
ETBU will face Rowan University in the Regional Championship on Saturday at 11:00 a.m.
ETBU Top Performers >>
Ava Rodriguez
- 3 hits
- 4 RBIs
- 2 home runs
Ryan Stratman
- 3 hits
- 2 RBIs
- 2 stolen bases
Katelynn Jones
- 3 runs
- 3 walks
- 2 stolen bases
Avery Holland
- 7 innings pitched
- 5 strikeouts
- Complete game shutout
