LONGVIEW, Texas -- Hayden Norris had four hits -- including a two-run home run -- but the LeTourneau baseball team fell to Southwestern, 9-4, in the series opener on Thursdsay night at Conrad-Vernon Field.

Norris went 4-for-5 with three RBIs and a two-run homer to lead the way for LeTourneau (6-11). It was Norris' third career four-hit game.

Southwestern (10-11) scored four runs in the top of the first inning to build a lead. In LeTourneau's half of the first inning, Xander Nabors launched a solo home run to right-center field to cut the YellowJacket deficit to 4-1.

The homer was Nabors' third of the season.

Norris then delivered an RBI single in the third inning to get the YellowJackets within 5-2. LeTourneau threatened to get even closer in the fourth, but was held off the scoreboard. In the fifth, a three-run homer from Owen Stevenson broke open the game and gave Southwestern an 8-2 lead.

Norris' two-run homer came in the ninth inning, a long blast to left field. The home run was his first of the year.

Nabors, Luke Land, Cody Brady, and Isaac Price all had a hit each for LeTourneau.

Aman Patel (0-3) went five innings in his start and collected six strikeouts. Lane Holman tossed four innings in relief and surrendered just one run on three hits with four strikeouts.

Chase McGarr (4-0) earned the win for the visiting Pirates as he struck out five over five innings. Walker Shaw picked up the save as he threw the final four innings.

UP NEXT

Game two of the series is set for Friday at 6 p.m. at Conrad-Vernon Field.

FOLLOW THE YELLOWJACKETS

Be sure to follow LeTourneau athletics all season long on letuathletics.com and social media at Facebook, Twitter/X and Instagram for up-to-date scores, news, and other information.