LONGVIEW – Kolton Eberlan tossed another masterpiece, and his offense picked him up late. It all spelled victory for LeTourneau University's baseball team.

LeTourneau used an eighth-inning rally to beat Mary Hardin-Baylor, 4-2, in the first game of a three-game weekend series at Conrad-Vernon Field Friday.

The YellowJackets (7-7, 4-3 American Southwest Conference) scored twice in the eighth to break a 2-2 tie. Noah Mahoney doubled to right to score Chaz Jackson. Weston McKinley's sacrifice fly scored Javier Castro for the insurance run.

Eberlan, who served up 103 offerings, went the distance, allowing eight hits and no walks, while striking out seven to improve to 3-1. Cooper Nelson was saddled with the loss after allowing the go-ahead runs in the eighth. It was the second straight game Eberlan went the distance in a dynamite performance on the mound.

Hunter McQuary singled up the middle to drive in two runs in the top of the first as the Crusaders (5-6, 2-5) strung together three straight two-out hits to take the early lead. The YellowJackets got one back in their half of the inning when Bryce Brueggemeyer's RBI groundout scored Jackson, who had an infield single, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error.

In the bottom of the sixth, Jackson doubled down the left field line. He advanced to third on a wild pitch, and then scored on McKinley's infield run-scoring single to tie the game.

Eberlan retired the next seven Cru hitters before McQuary singled up the middle with one out in the ninth. But the Jackets' ace struck out Garrett Gonzales, and then got Brandon Madden to fly out to end the game.

Jackson had two hits, and scored three runs. Mahoney was 2-for-2 with two walks. McKinley was 1-for-3 with two RBI. Brueggemeyer went 1-for-4 with an RBI.

LETU and UHMB will play a doubleheader Saturday beginning at noon.