LONGVIEW, Texas- Looking to redeem themselves following an extra-inning loss earlier in the week, the LeTourneau University softball did just that by sweeping a doubleheader from the University Mary Hardin-Baylor by scores of 8-2 and 6-4 on Friday, March 1st.
 
The pair of victories improves the YellowJackets to 8-4 overall and 6-2 in American Southwest Conference play while the Crusaders fall to 5-7 overall and 5-3 in ASC action.
 
Game One:
The Crusaders struck first in the top of the second by bringing in a run off a YellowJacket error to take a 1-0 lead before seeing LETU's offense answer in the bottom half of the inning. Freshman Ashley Crawford got things started for the YellowJackets as she reached base, allowing Kiley Banks to bring her across following a Crusader error. Kennedi DIllow tacked on two more runs with a single to left field which scored Banks and Taylor Nichols while Haydn Parker plated two runs with a double to right field to give the YellowJackets a 5-1 advantage. The offensive attack didn't stop there as LeTourneau used the bottom of the third to add two more runs off an Ethel Warren double to go up 7-1. Price tacked on another insurance run in the bottom of the fifth off a sacrifice fly to left field to make it 8-1 before seeing the Crusaders chip away in the sixth by bringing across one run off one hit to cut the deficit to 8-2. The YellowJackets pitching would continue their dominant outing in the seventh to secure the game one victory and take sole possession of second-place in the ASC.
 
Bailey Richey tossed a complete game for the YellowJackets, striking out five while allowing just six hits and two earned runs. A trio of YellowJackets earned six of the eight YellowJacket RBIs as Warren, Dillow and Parker all drove in two runs. Parker also recorded a team-high two hits while six other YellowJackets added one. Defensive woes proved to be crucial as the two squads combined to commit six total errors with four of those coming from the Crusader defense.
 
Game Two:
Leigh Luker dominated the Crusader offense early on as she only allowed one hit through the opening three innings of play. The Crusaders would find a way to bring a run across in the top of the fourth, scoring one run off two hits to take their first lead of the game. LETU wasted no time in getting the run back when a perfectly executed bunt squeeze from Hana Bonner scored Macey Mize from third base to knot the game at 1-1. The YellowJackets struck again in the bottom of the fifth, when Banks drew a walk and sparked a pair of RBI doubles from Warren and Dillow to put LETU up 3-1. Mize continued the rally by sending a two-run home run over the left center fence to break the game open and give LeTourneau a four-run lead. Trombley capped off the five-run inning by slamming an RBI double of her own to score Bonner and stretch the lead to 6-1. UMHB would try to make things interesting in the top of the seventh with a leadoff double followed as part of six of the first seven batters of the inning reaching base safely to bring home three runs and make things 6-4. The LETU defense stepped up when it mattered most by turning a game-ending double play to win the game and earn a series victory over the Crusaders.
 
Luker earned her third win of the season, tossing six complete innings for the YellowJackets while striking out six. Trombley led LETU at the plate recording a team-high two hits with four of LETU's six hits going for extra-bases. Mize recorded a game-high two RBI's and would also score twice.
 
The YellowJackets and Crusaders will meet once more in game three at the LeTourneau Softball Field with first pitch slated for 12 p.m. on Saturday, March 2nd.