FARMERS BRANCH — UT Tyler was hoping for a couple of wins on Saturday in the American Southwest Conference Softball Tournament, but East Texas Baptist made sure only one game was played.
The No. 12-ranked Tigers (34-10) captured the championship with a 6-2 win over the No. 2-ranked Patriots (41-4) at Oran Good Park.
The Patriots needed to win the first game to force a second match in the double-elimination tournament.
ETBU receives the ASC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament. It was the Tigers’ seventh ASC title. The Patriots were seeking their second straight title and third overall. They have played in six consecutive title games.
The Patriots will await the announcement of the 2013 NCAA West Regional bids, which is scheduled for UT Tyler Ballpark beginning May 9.
ETBU got the scoring started in the bottom of the first with a three-run homer by Sara Clements. The Tigers then added another run in the second on Alyssa Romero’s RBI single for a 4-0 lead.
The Patriots finally got on the board in the top of the fifth on a Brittney Batten two-run home run, to bring UT Tyler within 4-2.
The Tigers bounced back with a Kayla Garcia two-RBI double.
Tigers starter Shelby Parker was in control in the circle.
Batten was 2 for 3 with two RBIs and was named to the all-tournament team. Joining her on the squad were senior Ashley Endsley and freshman Kelsie Batten.
—
All-Tournament Team
Lya Swaner, C, Sr., East Texas Baptist (Most Valuable Player)
Brittney Batten, C, Sr., UT Tyler
Kelsie Batten, RHP, Fr., UT Tyler
Sara Clements, OF, So., East Texas Baptist
Leslie Eastham, RHP, Sr., Louisiana College
Ashley Endsley, 3B, Sr., UT Tyler
Grace Estes, SS, Fr., Texas Lutheran
Victoria Gomez, 3B, Jr., Mary Hardin-Baylor
Tylene Middleton, SS, Jr., Howard Payne
Shelby Parker, RHP, So., East Texas Baptist
Sandry Ouchley, DP, Fr., Louisiana College
Rebekah Ragsdale, RHP, Jr., Mary Hardin-Baylor
Maranda Westbrook, 3B, So., East Texas Baptist