LeTourneau University

 

 

The LeTourneau University softball team split a doubleheader with Centenary College on a windy Monday afternoon in Longview.

The YellowJackets (2-2) rallied from a two-run deficit with a three-run sixth inning to take the opener. LeTourneau had 12 hits, including four from freshman Kennedi Dillow in the win. Junior Kayla Cosby came off the bench to pitch 3.1 innings of one-hit relief of starter, junior Courtney Matulis to secure her first win at LETU.

Trailing 5-3 in the sixth inning, freshman Ashlin Roach and senior Brianna Williams doubled and singled to put runners on the corners and end the day for the Centenary starter, Haley Miller. Then, after a foul out, Matulis singled through the left side to make it a one-run game scoring Roach. Next, senior Megan cleared the bases with a double to the gap in right-center field to score Williams and a hustling Matulis for a 6-5 advantage for the YellowJackets.

Cosby sealed the win with a groundout and a pair fly outs to center field to secure the win.

In the nightcap, Centenary scored twice in the seventh for a 3-1 win over the YellowJackets. Three YellowJackets – sophomore Ashley Burdine, junior Whitney Judd, and senior Rachel Gauspohl – each had two hits in the loss.

LeTourneau got its only run in the second inning on an RBI single by Judd. Roach started the inning with a walk. Then she moved to second on a single by Burdine.  With runners on first and second, a sacrifice bunt by Matulis moved Roach and Burdine to third and second, respectively. After an LETU strikeout, Judd hit a blooper single that fell between the Centenary shortstop and the left fielder to score Roach from third. But, Centenary was able to throw out a hustling Burdine at the plate to end the inning.

Centenary (1-1) tied the game in the fourth inning, and the YellowJackets stranded base runners in the fifth and sixth inning.

The Ladies got back on the scoreboard in the seventh with a one-out sacrifice fly for the go-ahead run. Then, they followed that up with an RBI single for an insurance run and to make it a two-run contest.

Tatum native Nichole Aldridge for Centenary limited the YellowJackets to six hits and struck out six for her first career win.

LeTourneau starter Ashley Burdine allowed seven hits, three runs (three earned) and struck out three in the loss to fall to 0-2.

Next, the YellowJackets will begin the rigors of the American Southwest Conference play with a pair of doubleheaders on Friday, Feb. 12 and Saturday, Feb. 13. First pitch on Friday is 5:00 p.m., followed by a 1:00 p.m. start on Saturday.