Box Score LONGVIEW - Four LeTourneau errors proved to be the difference on Tuesday night as the East Texas Baptist Tigers were able to take an 8-6 victory over the LeTourneau YellowJacket at Conrad-Vernon Field.
The Tigers (16-17) opened things up with four runs in the first inning thanks to an error to lead off the game and a three run home run from Phil Windham. However, sophomore Ben Boles did an excellent job pitching out of the bases loaded with one out and keeping the score at 4-0.
Junior Bryce Griffin led the first with a double followed by a RBI single with two outs by sophomore Ryan Bertram to get the Jackets (18-12) on the board. Junior Matt Leftwich stepped to the plate and turned on a two strike pitch and lined it over the left field wall to make it a 4-3 game.
ETBU was able to get a run in the third thanks to the Jackets third error of the game, but the Jackets responded in the bottom half of the third as senior Rhett Bohannon was hit by a pitch to lead things off. After moving to third on a failed picked off attempt, Griffin drove in Bohannon with a RBI single to make it 5-4.
After a double play, R. Bertram singled and stole second and Leftwich came through with his third RBI of the day with a single through the left side to tie the game.
The Tigers responded immediately with two runs in the fourth and took control of the game going forward, going up 7-5.
LeTourneau cut the deficit to one in the seventh as senior Brent Sellers scored on a wild pitch and Griffin moved to second with two out. Junior Garrett Methvin ripped one up the middle, but the Tigers were able to pull in the liner to end the inning.
The Tigers added one in the eighth and were able to hold off LeTourneau's rally to pick up the non-conference win.
Boles took the loss for the Jackets while junior Jordan Price was efficient again, pitching 1.1 innings while allowing no hits. Meanwhile, junior Michael Brents pitched 1.1 innings while allowing one run and freshman Jack Van Saders pitched 2.2 innings, allowing two hits, and striking out three.
Leftwich led the offensive charge, going 2-for-4 with three RBIs and a run scored while R. Bertram added a 2-for-3 day with a RBI and two runs scored. Sophomore Caleb Pritchett 2-for-4 while Griffin was 2-for-4 with a RBI and a run scored.
LeTourneau will head to Tyler on Friday for a huge weekend series with the Texas-Tyler Patriots. This weekend will play a major role in whether the Jackets will be competing in postseason play or not. First pitch on Friday is set for 6 p.m. and Live Video and Live Stats will be provided.