LETU softball dropped their final games in the ASC series against the No. 5 ETBU Tigers on Saturday afternoon. The doubleheader started with a close loss of 5-7 in game one and finished with a game two score of 3-11 in five innings.
 
In the first contest, the YellowJackets got a hot start in the second inning when freshman Shelby Barrick reached on an error that put her and sophomore Macey Mize, who reached on a walk, in scoring position. Another walk by the Tigers' pitcher to senior Kaitlyn Allen loaded the bases for the Jackets. Junior Bailey Woodard was able to move the runners when she recorded a RBI single up the middle that scored Mize.
 
The bases were quickly cleared when junior Shelby Bagwell blasted a grand slam over the right center field fence, scoring Allen, Woodard, and junior Kelsi Coleman, who reached on a fielder's choice.
 
However, the Tigers quickly responded to the Jackets big second inning when they scored five runs in the third and fourth inning. LETU was unable to score again after the second inning, ending the game with a score of 5-7.
 
Bagwell finished the game 1-for-1 with her lone at bat that included a grand slam with four RBIs and one run. Freshman Alyssa Pierce also contributed to the Jackets eight total hits of the game, going 2-for-4 with a single and a double.
 
Sophomore Faith Genoway drops to 1-1 on the season, allowing seven runs on six hits in 3.1 innings. Junior Ashley Burdine came in as relief for LETU, only allowing two hits in her 2.2 innings.
 
The series was completed with a 3-11 loss when the YellowJackets were outhit by the Tigers, 3-15.
 
The Jackets weren't able to get the bats going until the fourth inning when a pair of singles from Bagwell and senior Courtney Matulis, as well as a walk for Allen, loaded the bases. Woodard took advantage of the situation when she launched a triple down the right field line, collecting 3 RBIs.
 
Due to the eight-run rule, LeTourneau would drop the last game of the series after ETBU scored their 11^th run in the bottom of the fourth and the Jackets could not get runners across in the fifth.
 
Woodard with her triple and three RBIs ran LETU's offense in game three. Bagwell and Matulis contributed to the team's three hits with their singles.
 
Freshman Julie Cantu would take her first loss as a YellowJacket in the series closer when she allowed four runs off one hit in the first inning, making her 0-1 on the season. Burdine would relieve Cantu and go on to pitch the next two innings, giving up five runs on nine hits. Matulis closed the game for LETU and allowed two runs on five hits in her 1.1 innings.
 
After the series, the YellowJackets move to 3-6 overall and 1-5 in the ASC. They will be back in action next weekend as they welcome in the No. 1-ranked and defending national champion UT Tyler Patriots. The Jackets will kick off the three-game series at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, February 24^th, followed by a doubleheader at 1 and 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 25^th.