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UT Tyler broke out of an offensive slump to salvage a split with East Texas Baptist Saturday afternoon at the UT Tyler Softball Complex. The Patriots (27-11, 18-10) dropped game one 1-0, but responded with six runs in game two in a 6-1 victory. The split means UT Tyler finishes its inaugural season tied with ETBU for second place in the American Southwest Conference East division. The Patriots are unable to participate in postseason tournament play because UT Tyler is in a provisional NCAA Division III period. For head coach Mike Reed, Saturday's result reinforced UT Tyler as a contender this year and from now on in the ASC. "We weren't a typical first-year team and won't be a typical second year team next year," Reed said. "Unfortunately, we are on provisional status, but I told the girls before the game, very few teams can end their season with a win." ETBU (24-13, 18-10) advances to the ASC Tournament, which begins Thursday in Irving, as the No. 2 seed from the East. Game One Saturday also marked the final collegiate game for UT Tyler senior pitcher Jenelle Morrison. Morrison, who transferred from UT Dallas, was the only senior on the Patriots roster. Morrison was on the short end of a 1-0 scoreline in the opener, allowing the one run on four hits with no walks and five strikeouts. "If you look at Jenelle's losses, with her ERA (1.20), she shouldn't have lost any games," Reed said of his senior. The Patriots left seven runners on base in game one, three of them in scoring position as UT Tyler had runners at first and second with less than two outs three times in the game. "We were trying to push a little in the first game," Reed said. ETBU scored the lone run of the game in the top of the third on a RBI single by Holley Martin. Game Two Despite creating many opportunities in the first three games - all ETBU wins - the Patriots were enduring a 21-inning scoreless streak against the Lady Tigers. Freshman pitcher Kati Good, who had already been on the short end in one of those shutout losses, decided to take matters into her own hands. With two outs and two runners on, Good smacked a two-run double to right center field, scoring Krystin Hensley and Lindsey Peters for a 2-0 lead. "Coach Reed put a lot of faith in me, allowing me to come in and hit when I was pitching," Good said. "(I was happy) to come in and do what I can to help the team." ETBU cut the lead to 2-1 in the fourth on a RBI single by Robin Rodridguez. The Lady Tigers threatened to tie the game in the top of the fifth when Jaimie Molling led off with a triple. Good induced a ground out to third, keeping Molling on the base. Jenna Schlabs followed with a sharp ground ball to UT Tyler's Kourtney Jones, who while playing in, quickly fielded the ball and fired it home in time to nab Molling at the plate. UT Tyler finished the inning with another sparkling defensive play as Christy Shipley made a diving catch in left field. Good helped UT Tyler tack on four more runs in the bottom of the sixth with a RBI single after Talesha Martin led off with a triple. Candace Hales provided the exclamation point a few batters later with a two-run triple. ETBU got two runners on with two outs in the top of the seventh, but Good induced Schlabs to hit a pop fly to center, which Ashley Cagle caught to end the game. "I have so much faith in my teammates, and when Kourtney threw the girl out at home, that was crucial," Good said. "It's a good way to finish the season - beating our rivals." Game 1 East Texas Baptist 000 100 0 - 1 4 2 Meredith Flies and Ashley Elliot; Janelle Morrison and Beverly Meek. W - Flies (12-6). L - (13-4). Game 2 East Texas Baptist 000 100 0 - 1 4 1 Ashley Stout, Robin Rodriguez (6), Kelli Shipley (6) and Ashley Elliot; Kati Good and Beverly Meek. W - Good (13-4). L - Stout (9-3). 2B - UTT: Cagle, Good. 3B - ETBU: Molling; UTT: Martin, Hales. RECORDS - East Texas Baptist 24-13 (18-10), UT Tyler 27-11 (18-10). |
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University of Texas at Tyler Tyler, TX 75799 903.566.7000 1-800-UT TYLER |
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