The LeTourneau University softball team dropped a doubleheader, losing 8-0 (game 1) and 3-2 (game two) to No. 1 UT Tyler on Saturday in Tyler.
The YellowJackets (4-10, 2-7 ASC) were no-hit by Kelsie Batten in game one and limited to just one baserunner –
Rachel Gauspohl, who reached on a walk in the fourth inning.
The Patriots (8-2, 6-0 ASC) scored eight-straight runs after a scoreless first inning. UT Tyler scored twice in the second, third and fourth and a run each in the fifth and sixth for the victory. Batten picked up offensive support from throughout the lineup including Raven Rodriguez, who had three RBI and KK Stevens, who had two hits to lead a seven-hit attack.
In the nightcap, LeTourneau rallied to tie the game at 2 in the top of the seventh before the Patriots scored in its half of the seventh for the 3-2 win.
UT Tyler scored twice in the first inning; then, the YellowJackets got on the scoreboard for the first time on the weekend on a RBI sacrifice fly by Gauspohl. Earlier in the inning, senior
Megan Hill started the inning with a double to center field. She moved to third on a single by freshman
Kennedi Dillow. With none out, Gauspohl hit a fly ball deep enough to score Hill to cut the deficit to one, 2-1.
In the seventh, with one out, sophomore
Ashlin Roach doubled to the gap in left-center field which prompted a UT Tyler pitching change. The YellowJackets'
Brianna Williams greeted the new pitcher with a single up the middle, scoring pinch runner Madison Monayahan from second.
With the game tied at two, Cheyenne Thompson reached on a one out walk and moved into scoring position with a stolen base. Next, a ball hit by Emilee Burkhardt would plate Thompson from second and end the contest.
Despite the loss,
Megan Hill,
Kennedi Dillow and
Ashlin Roach (pictured) each had two hits as the YellowJackets out hit UT Tyler, 7-4.
Kayla Cosby was the tough-luck losing pitcher for LETU, pitching 6.1 innings, allowing just four hits and striking out in the loss.
The YellowJackets come back home to host UT Dallas on Friday, Mar. 4 at 6 p.m. in GOLD OUT and a doubleheader on Saturday, Mar. 5 at noon for Cancer Awareness Day.
