MARSHALL, Texas — Shutting out the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, No. 6 East Texas Baptist University won their fourth straight American Southwest Conference Tournament Championship run-ruling the Crusaders, 8-0, in six innings. ETBU scored five runs with two outs in the sixth and finished the game with 12 hits while holding UMHB to just three hits. With this championship, ETBU now has 14 ASC Tournament Championships for the program and is the second time in program history to win four in a row dating back to 2000 to 2004 when they won five straight.
Avery Holland was named the ASC Tournament MVP as Aleyna St.Jean,
Emma Boren, and
Ryan Stratman were ASC All-Tournament.
Ava Rodriguez delivered at the plate, finishing with two hits and driving in two runs. Stratman contributed two hits, one RBI, one walk, and a stolen base. Boren added two hits and drove in one run while drawing a walk. Also adding a RBI were
Katelynn Jones,
Izabella Morales, and
Makayla Menchue.
McKenzie Jones delivered an impressive complete game performance, pitching six innings without allowing an earned run. She conceded only three hits and issued two walks, while striking out four batters to move to 11-0. She retired the side in the third, fourth, and sixth innings.
The scoring began in the third inning when St. Jean singled and
Katelynn Jones tripled to bring in St. Jean. Stratman later singled, allowing Jones to score for the 2-0 lead.
In the fourth inning,
Julia St. John, pinch running for
Piper Morton, scored on an error, extending the lead to 3-0.
The decisive rally occurred in the sixth inning as ETBU scored five runs with two outs to run-rule UMHB.
Mallory Pyle singled and later scored on a hit by Stratman.
Izabella Morales and Rodriguez each contributed RBI singles, while
Makayla Menchue doubled to bring in another run. Boren capped off the inning with an RBI single as
Macie Mathis scored to end the game, 8-0
ETBU will now wait and see if they will be hosting the NCAA Tournament on Monday with the NCAA Division III Selection Show at 10:00 a.m.
ETBU Top Performers
Ava Rodriguez
- 2 hits
- 2 RBIs
McKenzie Jones
- 6 innings pitched
- 0 earned runs
- 4 strikeouts
- 1 complete game
Ryan Stratman
- 2 hits
- 1 RBI
- 1 walk
- 1 stolen base
