LeTourneau softball couldn't bring in the late-inning runs it needed in two closely contested games against nationally ranked Louisiana College on Saturday. A defensive battle in the first game was won by LC 2-1, while game two saw a late rally fall short for LETU as they lost 8-6 to the No. 17 Wildcats.
 
Louisiana College marks the fourth nationally ranked that LeTourneau has faced this season as they have already had series with UT Tyler (1), ETBU (5), and UT Dallas (16).
 
Game one was a battle of great pitching and defenses with Faith Genoway striking out seven and giving up just two runs on seven hits. Genoway pitched her ninth complete game of the season but the sophomore slinger falls to 7-5 on the season.
 
After six scoreless innings, Macey Mize sent a 2-out solo homerun over the fence in the bottom of the seventh inning to draw LeTourneau within one run and put the tying run at the plate. The YellowJackets weren't able to complete the rally as they fell 2-1 in the series opener.
 
In game two of the twin bill, the YellowJackets once again had to dig themselves out of a hole as LC used a 3-run homerun in the second inning to take an early lead. LETU would answer in the bottom of the second as they scored two runs to pull back within one run.
 
The Wildcats responded with another 3-run inning in the top of the third. LeTourneau cut the lead to 6-3 when Mize would score on a deeply hit foul ball as she tagged and beat the throw to home. LC would get that run back in the top of the fourth inning to push their lead back to 7-3.
 
The YellowJackets started to chip away at the lead in the fourth inning when they loaded the bases and put the pressure on the Wildcat defense. Ashlin Roach drew a walk that scored pinch runner Jessica Heintz. Mize would come up big again as she singled to left field and scored Hayley Hurley, cutting the deficit to 7-5.
 
In the bottom of the fifth, freshman Taylor MacKenzie homered to pull LeTourneau within one run. MacKenzie went 3-for-4 at the plate with one RBI and scoring two runs. Macey Mize was 2-for-4 with an RBI and scoring a run.
 
After adding an insurance run in the top of the sixth the Wildcats stifled the YellowJacket offense in the final two innings to take the win.
 
LETU falls to 11-16 on the season and 6-14 in conference play. They will look to steal the series finale with the Wildcats on Sunday afternoon when the two teams square off at 2 p.m. at the Joyce Family Athletic Village. Before the doubleheader, the LeTourneau softball team honored fallen soldiers in their third annual For the Heroes game. Each member of the team played for a soldier who had been killed in action serving our nation. These amazing men gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect the freedom that we so often take for granted.
 
Ten families of the fallen heroes were in attendance to be recognized and honored while head coach Stan Wells read each name along with their rank, branch of military and when they were killed in action.
 
LeTourneau Athletics would like to thank all of those families along with the veterans that were in attendance for their service and sacrifice. May God bless all the men and women who protect us both at home and abroad.