Packard's streak halted as YellowJackets fall to No. 3 UT-Tyler

LONGVIEW – The LeTourneau University softball team dropped a pair of American Southwest Conference East Division games Tuesday to No. 3 UT-Tyler, falling in the opener, 8-0 in six innings, and losing the second game, 1-0, at the LETU Softball Field.

 

LeTourneau (15-19 overall, 6-15 ASC East) dropped the opener as UT-Tyler scored three runs in third and four in the fourth to race out to a 7-0 lead. The Patriots (31-5, 16-4) added a run on a Whitney Wyly solo homer in the sixth as the game after the sixth because of the eight-run mercy rule.

 

Alex Flanagan (4-7) took the loss in pitching three innings. She gave up seven runs (six earned) on six hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Kelsie Mercer-Stephenson worked two innings of relief by fanning three and giving up a pair of hits. Devin Borsellino pitched one inning in relief, giving up a run on two hits with two walks.

 

Stacy Shepard ran her record to 16-0 by pitching six innings. She scattered three hits, while fanning two.

 

In the second contest, Stephenson (11-8) pitched a game in giving up just one run on four hits with three walks and a pair of strikeouts in seven innings.

 

UT-Tyler got the only of the game in the second as Megan Hutson walked and then stole second. She scored on Ashley Klores' double to right-center.

 

LeTourneau had a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth.

 

Jerrica Cepak walked to begin the frame. Juliana Tuel reached on a fielder's choice as Cepak was out at second. Crissy Simmons reached on a fielder's choice as Tuel was out at second. Simmons stole second and moved to third when Kayla Blucher reached on an error and took second on the play. Kylie Packard walked to load the bases. Mickelboro struck out to end the LeTourneau threat.

 

M'Lynn Tillery (2-2) took the win in pitching 5 2/3 innings. She fanned two and walked one. Shepard earned the save by working 1 1/3 innings of relief.

 

The YellowJackets conclude the season with an American Southwest Conference East Division doubleheader Friday, April 23 at the LETU Softball Field against Mississippi College. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

 

NOTE: LeTourneau's Kylie Packard went without a hit in the first game, stopping her school-record for consecutive games with a hit at 28 games.