MARSHALL, Texas —
Carter Nannini's walk-off single propelled #16/21 East Texas Baptist University into the American Southwest Conference Tournament Championship game as they secured a narrow victory over Mary Hardin-Baylor, 6-5.
Carson Livesay scored from second base when the ball to left field was misplayed allowing him to beat the throw home. ETBU's four-run fifth inning proved pivotal as they won their 32
nd game of the year.
Livesay scored two runs and added an RBI with a double. Nannini drove in two runs and reached base with a hit and a walk.
Joaquin Costa also recorded two RBIs. ETBU had only seven hits with seven different players with a hit.
Isaac Thornton delivered a strong performance on the mound, pitching eight innings with nine strikeouts while allowing four earned runs for the no decision. on 6 hits.
Aiden Leonard entered in relief, pitching the final inning, giving up one earned run on one hit, with one strikeout for the win to improve to 7-0.
Mary Hardin-Baylor jumped to an early lead in the second inning on a three-run homer to left field, for the 3-0 lead. ETBU responded in the fifth inning as
Kahne Nolen and
Juan Ortigoza each singled, and
Brody Tewers walked to load the bases. Livesay's sacrifice fly scored Nolen, and an error allowed Ortigoza to score as well. A single by Costa brought home Tewers and
Connor Massimini, turning the tide and giving ETBU a 4–3 lead through five innings.
Mary Hardin-Baylor leveled the score in the sixth on a sacrifice fly to tie it 4–4. The Tigers regained the lead in the seventh inning, 5-4. Livesay reached base with a walk, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and scored on Nannini's sacrifice fly, putting ETBU up by one.
In the ninth, a solo home run by Mary Hardin-Baylor tied the game. However, ETBU sealed the win when Livesay walked, advanced on a flyout, and scored on Nannini's single to center, securing a 6–5 victory.
ETBU will now play in their fifth ASC Tournament Championship game in the past six years winning in 2023 and 2025.
ETBU Top Performers
Carson Livesay
- 2 runs
- 1 double
- 1 stolen base
Carter Nannini
- 2 RBIs
- 1 hit
- 1 sacrifice fly
Joaquin Costa
- 2 RBIs
- 1 hit
Isaac Thornton
- 8 innings pitched
- 9 strikeouts
- 1 walk
