POSTGAME INTERVIEW AFTER WITH KUBACAK, TUEL, AND COACH BELL

LONGVIEW - After being rained out on Tuesday, the LeTourneau YellowJacket softball team opened their 2013 campaign by welcoming in the Centenary Ladies on Thursday evening. The Jackets were impressive in their first two games, especially in the circle, taking a 1-0 and 8-0 (5 inn.) decision over the Ladies.

After putting Centneary (0-2) down in the first, senior Juliana Tuel led the inning off with a single and eventually stole second and third to move into scoring position. However, LeTourneau (2-0) could not move the runner home as the game remained scoreless through one.

Freshman Karen Kubacek was impressive in her first career start, allowing no hits through 3.1 innings before an infield single broke up the no hitter. It did not make any difference as she continued to mow down the Ladies.

In the bottom of the fourth, junior Anna Winter led the inning off with a single followed by a walk to junior Jourdan Glover. After a brilliant bunt by freshman Taylor Kaderli, the Jackets were looking at two runners in scoring position with only one out. However, Centenary escaped the inning unscathed as they got a fly out and a strike out.

The Jackets got runners in scoring position again in the fifth, but could not get the runner home.

After the first out was recorded in the top of the sixth, the Ladies began to make some noise, getting an infield single and a stolen base followed by an error and a stolen base to put two runners in scoring position with one out. Kubacek settled in though and got her biggest strike out of the game to get out number two. She followed that up with a groundout which ended up being a tremendous play by Winter at third base to end the inning and keep the game scoreless.

After the Jackets could not get anything going in the bottom half of the sixth, Kubacek continued to dominate and showed no signs of slowing down as she sat Centenary down in order in the seventh.

After the first out, Tuel led the inning off with a single up the middle, her fourth of the day, followed by her third stolen base of the day. She then advanced to third on a wild pitch to give the Jackets the chance to win the game.

Freshman Shelby Borders came through as she stroked a single through the left side for the 1-0 win.

Kubacak was incredible, getting the complete game shutout in her first start and picking up her first win of her career. She only allowed two hits on the afternoon while stirking out six and only allowing one walk.

Tuel was equally terrific, going 4-for-4 with three stolen bases and the game winning run. Borders had the lone RBI in the game while going 2-for-4 at the plate.

In the second game, the Jackets broke things open in the second inning of a scoreless game. Junior Sara Whitehead led the inning off with a single followed by a double down the left field line by freshman Danielle Cotton.

After two quick outs were recorded, Tuel came to the plate and ripped a two RBI single to left, scoring two and moving all the way to third on the throws.

The Jackets got two more runs in off an error by the Ladies and a RBI single by Glover.

Junior Taylor Thibodeaux came in relief early for junior Kelli Parton and appeared to be in complete control the minute she stepped on the rubber in the second inning, keeping Centenary off balance to keep the Jackets on top.

LeTourneau got two more in the fourth as Tuel stole her fourth base of the day and advanced home on a bad throw by the catcher while freshman Erin Peterson scored later in the inning off a wild pitch.

The Jackets finished things off in the fifth off another error and a game ending RBI from Winter to take the 8-0 elimination win.

Thibodeaux was excellent in relief, getting her first win of the season. She pitched 3.2 innings of scoreless ball, allowing two hits and striking out five batters.

Tuel was 2-for-4 on the day with two RBIs, two runs scored, and a stolen base. Winter added a 2-for-3 day with one RBI while Glover was 1-for-1 with a RBI and a pair of walks.

LeTourneau gets their young season off to a tremendous start and returns to action tomorrow as they welcome in the Austin College 'Roos in a doubleheader. First pitch is schedule for 4 p.m. and can be follow through Live Stats on Stretch Internet.