The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor completed a weekend sweep of the LeTourneau University softball team, winning a doubleheader, 8-6 and 9-0 (6 innings) on Saturday in Longview.
 
The YellowJackets (9-6, 4-5 ASC) struggled to find the clutch hit in the two games, recording just two hits in each game in two out situations. LeTourneau combined to strand 14 runners on base in the doubleheader.
 
The Cru (6-2, 5-1 ASC) had 12 and 14 hits, respectively in the two games.  Janie Neyland had a four-hit game in game one and followed that up with a three-hit effort in the nightcap to pace the UMHB offense.

Game 1
A four-run seventh inning was just enough to spoil a comeback effort by the YellowJackets in the opening game. LeTourneau rallied to tie the game at four in the bottom of the sixth before the Cru plated four runs on four hits in its half of the seventh to take an 8-4 advantage. LETU came back and rallied to cut the deficit to two with two outs until a line drive back to the pitcher ended the game.
 
UMHB raced out to a 3-0 advantage on the strength of four-straight one out hits including a two-RBI hit by Myranda Hinojosa. LeTourneau started its comeback in the bottom half of the inning with a RBI single by Megan Hill, cutting the deficit to two, 3-1. The YellowJackets added another run on a RBI double by Brittany Avila in the second, making it a one-run contest - 3-2. Each team plated a run in the fourth for a 4-3 advantage in favor of the Cru.
 
LeTourneau tied it at 4 in the fifth as Kelsie Benson led off the inning being hit by a pitch. She moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kaylee Pritchett, then to third on a ground out by Nikole Williams. With two out, Avila hit a single to left field to scoring Benson for her second hit of the day. LETU had a chance to take its first lead of the weekend in the sixth. However, the YellowJackets stranded runners on the corners to end the inning.
 
The Cru regained the lead with a four-run seventh inning for an 8-4 lead. With two out in its half of the seventh, LeTourneau started a comeback attempt with two out. Avila reached base on a walk, then she eventually would score on a RBI double to the gap in right center by pinch hitter Bailey Woodard. Then, LETU was able to plate its next run when Courtney Matulis (pictured) reached on an error to score Woodard. A line drive by Megan Hill spoiled the comeback and ended the contest.
 
For LETU, Avila had two hits to pace a nine-hit attack and Matulis was on base in all five plate appearances, four of which came via a walk. In relief of starter Ashley Burdine, Kaylee Pritchett pitched the final two innings, allowing four hits and four runs – all earned in the loss to fall to 2-2.  

For UMHB, Tiffany Birdwell came out of the bullpen in relief of Karen Tennis to pitch the final 3.2 innings to even her record at 1-1. She allowed three hits, three runs – two earned in the win. Offensively, Neyland and Hinojosa had four and three hits, respectively for UMHB.
 
Game 2
A six-run sixth inning supported a two-run fourth and a run in the first was enough offense to lead Mary Hardin-Baylor to the 9-0 win over the YellowJackets in the nightcap. The top three in the order for UMHB combined for 8 of the 14 hits, including three from Janie Neyland and Cori Drake. With the offensive support of the 14-hit attack, UMHB starting pitcher Haley Parker limited LETU to just three hits to raise her record to 3-0. Parker did not allow a hit through the first 3.2 innings of the game.
 
An unearned run in first inning put UMHB ahead 1-0; then, a two-run home run in the fourth put the visitors ahead 3-0. LETU's Rachel Gauspohl spoiled the no hitter with a double in the bottom of the fourth. The YellowJackets stranded its second runner of the day, leaving a runner on third in the fifth. UMHB had six runs on seven hits in the sixth to take a nine-run lead, 9-0. LETU picked up its third hit of the nightcap when Megan Hill singled with two out. A ground out ended the game and the rally by LeTourneau.
 
The YellowJackets will now turn their attention to a three-game series at Louisiana College, Mar. 6-7. The series gets started with a doubleheader on Friday, Mar. 6 in Pineville, Louisiana.