The LeTourneau University softball team dropped a 9-1 (6 innings) and 4-0 decision to No. 4 UT Tyler on Saturday at the LETU Softball Field in Longview on Fallen Heroes Day. With the doubleheader sweep UT Tyler improves to 19-0 overall and 11-0 in the ASC, LeTourneau falls to 9-12 overall and 4-9 in the ASC.
 
Prior to the doubleheader, LeTourneau recognized in pre-game festivities select Fallen Heroes and members of their families, who have been prominently displayed on their uniforms throughout the season. In addition, the Longivew High School Junior ROTC chapter presented the colors prior to the contest and LETU police chief Terry Turner, an Air Force veteran threw out the first pitch.
 
When the action got underway, it was two tightly contested games between the two local rivals.
 
Game 1
In game one, UT Tyler had nine runs on 13 hits – six of the nine runs and seven of the 13 hits came in the sixth inning. Five-different players had multiple hit, including Christa Hartnett, who had a team-best. She and Lexi Ackroyd each had two RBI in the win. Kelsie Batten for the Patriots allowed just two hits and struck out three to raise her record to 12-0 in the win.
 
LeTourneau got a hit in the third and the sixth in the loss. The YellowJackets plated their only run in the fourth inning without a hit. Sophomore Courtney Matulis reached on a fielding error to start the inning; then, she moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by junior Brianna Williams. A RBI groundout by senior Kaylee Pritchett, scored Matulis to cut the deficit to 3-1.
 
Game 2
After a scoreless first two innings in the nightcap, UT Tyler scored in the next three innings en route to the 4-0 win. UT Tyler spread seven hits among five players, including a pair by Vanessa Carrizales and KK Stevens. LeTourneau freshman Kelsi Coleman accounted for two of the four hits for the YellowJackets.
 
In the third inning, UT Tyler got on the board as a result of an error by the YellowJackets for an early 1-0 lead. They added to their lead when Stevens hit a two-run home run in the fourth for a 3-0 lead. The Patriots added to their lead in the fifth on a RBI double by Carrizales. LeTourneau mounted a late threat against UT Tyler in the seventh. With one out, Coleman singled up the middle; then, Kelsie Benson singled to left to put runners on first and second with two out which prompted at UTT pitching change. The Patriots kept the YellowJackets off the scoreboard with a strikeout to end the game.
 
Next, LeTourneau will be on the road as they travel to face Hardin-Simmons University on Thursday, April 2 in a doubleheader at 2 p.m. and Friday, April 3 at noon in Abilene.