YellowJackets split with rival East Texas Baptist

LONGVIEW – The LeTourneau University softball team picked up one of the biggest wins in school history as the YellowJackets took the opener against third-ranked East Texas Baptist, 4-0, but fell in the second game, 4-3 in an American Southwest Conference East Division doubleheader Thursday at the LETU Softball Field.

 

In the opener, after four scoreless innings, the YellowJackets (12-12 overall, 4-10 ASC East) broke the tie with four runs on two hits and took advantage of an error to take a 4-0 lead.

 

Ashley McPhail began the frame by reaching on an error and took second on the play. She advanced to third on a wild pitch. Kayla Blucher, who went 2-for-4, reached on a fielder's choice bunt as McPhail was out at third. Kylie Packard followed with a double to left-center to plate Blucher. Christin Mickelboro was intentionally walked and with two down, Crissy Simmons, who went 2-for-3, belted a three-run homer to give the YellowJackets a 4-0 advantage.

 

Stephenson (8-4) picked up the win with another masterful performance. She pitched a complete-game, two-hitter in walking one and fanning one.

 

Ayrika Henderson (10-2) took the loss in giving up four runs on seven hits. She fanned six and walked three.

 

In the second game, East Texas Baptist (21-3, 8-1) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first and added a run in the third to take a 4-0 advantage.

 

LeTourneau rallied and cut the deficit to 4-3 with three runs on four hits in the fifth.

 

With one down in the frame, Blucher walked and moved to second on a base hit to right by Packard. Mickelboro, who went 2-for-4, followed with a double to left-center to score Blucher. Simmons ripped a single to right to score Packard and Mickelboro to trim the margin to 4-3.

 

The YellowJackets had a chance to tie the game in the seventh as Packard, who went 2-for-4, singled up the middle and Mickelboro reached on an error. However, Simmons lined into a double play and Alex Flanagan grounded out to the first baseman to end the game.

 

Flanagan (4-5) took the loss in working four innings. She gave up four runs (three earned) on five hits with a walk and a strikeout. Stephenson pitched the final three innings in relief.

 

Alicia Wright (9-0) took the win in working a complete game. She gave up three runs on nine hits with three walks and three strikeouts.

 

The YellowJackets return to action 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 6 in Marshall, Texas against East Texas Baptist in an American Southwest Conference East Division doubleheader.