Box Score

MARSHALL, Texas – No. 2 East Texas Baptist softball erupted late and then held on in a thrilling seventh inning to capture the 2024 NCAA Division III Softball Super Regional Championship on Friday, May 24, with a 10-9 victory over Williams. The Tigers continue their unbeaten streak during postseason play, as they have gone 8-0 through the American Southwest Conference, NCAA Marshall, Texas Regional, and now NCAA Marshall, Texas Super Regional. The Tigers will not travel far, as they host the NCAA Softball Championship May 30 – June 5.
 
ETBU (43-2) extended its winning streak to 20 games and won its second Super Regional Championship. The Tigers enter the National Championship for the first time since 2014 and are seeking their second national championship with the other coming in 2010. The Tigers hosted the NCAA Championship in 2023 but were not in it as they fell during the regional round.
 
Playing as the visitors, the Tigers allowed a four-spot in the third inning to Williams (36-14). The Tigers were held scoreless through five innings, but then turned the tide with nine runs in the top of the sixth inning. A double by Ava Rodriguez knotted the game at 4-4 with two outs. Mary Frances Ellis singled the go-ahead run that scored Hanna Kelley. ETBU proceeded to pounce with four more runs that had a pair of homers blasted by Tristen Maddox and Tauryn Cummings. Cummings would drive in the 10th run on a bases loaded walk in the seventh.
 
That run proved necessary, as Williams posted five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. After an fielder’s choice RBI went for the second out. A single loaded the bases again and Justine Dunaway lined a homer just above left field, and it was a one-run ballgame. The final out came on a liner to the left side, and Cummings snared it at the hot corner to send ETBU celebrating.
 
Both teams had 12 hits. ETBU drew seven more walks to give the team 15 over the two games. ETBU had six stolen bases as well. A. Melton earned the win in the circle, as she threw 4.1 innings of relief. Avery Holland got the final out, as she notched the one-run save and finished with 5.1 no-hit innings in the Super Regional.
 
East Texas Baptist is the first ASC team to advance to the World Series since UT Tyler won in 2018. ASC teams are 24-17 all-time in the finals, which includes ETBU with a 5-2 record.
 
ETBU Recap (Available Soon)
 
NCAA Softball 2024 Marshall, Texas Super Regional Tournament