LONGVIEW, Texas -- Jack Kale went 4-for-4 with three RBIs, but the LeTourneau baseball team could not hold on to a one-run lead late in a 5-4 extra-inning loss to Millsaps in the season opener on Friday night at Conrad-Vernon Field.

LeTourneau (0-1) led 3-2 entering the seventh inning, but Millsaps (1-0) scored the tying run in that inning before the teams traded single runs in the eighth. The visiting Majors then capitalized on a leadoff triple in the 10th to come away with the win.

After allowing two runs in the top of the first, LeTourneau answered with a two-spot of its own in the bottom of the inning. Kale delivered the first of his three-RBI night with a run-scoring single to center field that plated Austin Wiederhold from second. Back-to-back balks from Millsaps starter Stewart Bonnecaze then allowed Kale to score to make it 2-2.

In the third, it was Kale again coming up with the clutch hit. His two-out RBI double to right-center field scored Zach Baker to give LeTourneau a 3-2 lead.

The score stayed that way until the seventh when Millsaps loaded the bases with one out and Sam Thomas' RBI fielder's choice knotted the score.

The Majors then took the lead in the eighth on an infield single from Layne Cross, but LeTourneau rallied in its half of the frame with Kale driving in Wiederhold with an RBI single to left field to make it 4-4.

LeTourneau had a chance to win the game in the ninth as Seth Hudson singled and stole second before advancing to third on a wild pitch. Millsaps reliever Jackson Woolley got Baker to pop out to end the threat and send the game into extras.

Millsaps' Wesley Grant led off the 10th with a triple and scored on Dominic Mendieta's one-out single. The YellowJackets got one baserunner on in the 10th, but could not tie or win the game.

Kale had four of LeTourneau's six hits in the loss. Hudson and Jake Morris had the other two hits for the YellowJackets.

Clayton Holt made his first career start and went four innings allowing two runs on five hits. Will Podsednik went 2.1 innings out of the bullpen and collected three strikeouts, while Cruz Cox went 2.2 innings and did not allow an earned run. Camden Miller (0-1) struck out two as he picked up the loss.

Woolley (1-0) earned the win in relief for Millsaps going the final two innings. Bonnecaze lasted just three innings and allowed three runs in his start. Grant went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs as Millsaps collected 11 hits.

UP NEXT

LeTourneau and Millsaps play a doubleheader on Saturday (12 p.m.).

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