LONGVIEW, Texas – LETU softball split its opening series doubleheader against No. 5 Belhaven Friday evening in an American Southwest Conference matchup.

The Blazers (24-5, 16-4 ASC) took game one of the series, 10-0, but the YellowJackets (11-17, 8-12 ASC) bounced back in the final game of the doubleheader, 2-0.

In the first game, Belhaven tallied two or more runs in four of its six innings at the plate, totaling nine hits with 8 RBIs. LETU couldn't recover, putting together only two hits with six errors.

Alysa Torres and Macy Clevenger led LETU at the plate with one hit apiece. Jade Merrell took the loss in the circle, registering three strikeouts. Laney Taylor also seen time in the circle, pitching two innings with a SO. Kennedy Carruth notched the win for Belhaven.

The YellowJackets shook off the first game loss quickly in game two, playing stingy defense throughout the contest to hold the No. 5 nationally ranked Blazers scoreless for only the second time this season.

After 5.5 innings of no scores, LETU finally broke the tie when Kylie Grisham crushed one over the center field wall for two runs. This is Grisham's fourth homer of the season. The Jackets would hang tough on defense, blanking BU in the final two innings to secure the win.

The YellowJackets outhit Belhaven in game two 6-5.

Bailey Richey went the distance in the circle, taking home the victory to improve her record to 5-4 on the year. Richey allowed five hits and zero runs with a season-high five strikeouts.
Grisham led the Jackets in the batter's box with two hits and two RBIs. Madelyn Tannery, Callie Poore, Preslie Turney, and Macy Clevenger each tallied one hit.

LETU and Belhaven face off in the series finale Saturday at 12 p.m. This game will feature a For the Heroes ceremony, beginning at 11:30 a.m.