MARSHALL, Texas – The East Texas Baptist softball team fell to Texas Lutheran 4-3 in the 10^th inning of the opener of the NCAA DIII Softball Championship Tournament Super Regional on Thursday in Marshall.

Texas Lutheran was first to score with an RBI single in the first inning. The Bulldogs added two more in the top of the fifth before the Tigers tied it 3-3 in the bottom of the frame. Tristen Maddox doubled to left center to score Julia St. John for the first run. Izabella Morales followed with a single through the right side to score Maddox and Mary Frances Ellis to knot it up.

After two hitless innings, the contest went to extra innings tied 3-3. Avery Holland continued to shutdown the Bulldogs through the eighth and ninth innings, not allowing a runner on base. Texas Lutheran’s offense struck again in the top of the tenth, earning the winning run on a sacrifice fly out.

Avery Holland pitched all 10 innings for East Texas Baptist. She allowed two earned runs on six hits while striking out five batters. Izabella Morales led the offensive front with two hits and two RBI for the Tigers.

ETBU and TLU will face again for Game 2 of the Super Regional on Friday at 1:00 p.m. in Marshall. The “if game” will take place shortly after Game 2 if needed.