A late-inning rally over the final three innings from no. 6 Trinity University ended no. 21 East Texas Baptist University’s season, 7-4, on Saturday in the 10-inning NCAA Division III Baseball Regional Championship.
ETBU had a 3-1 lead after seven innings but gave up six runs over the eighth, ninth and 10th innings. This was game seven in the Regional Tournament as ETBU forced the if-game after winning 4-0 in the day’s first game. ETBU finishes its season at 31-16 and as the American Southwest Conference regular season and tournament champions.
It was ETBU’s third consecutive year playing for the NCAA Division III Regional Championship and making the NCAA Tournament. ETBU is now 12-8 in the NCAA Tournament in three appearances, winning two Regional Championships, one Super Regional and an appearance in the NCAA Division III National Tournament. The Tigers also have also hosted two Super Regional Tournaments.
Luke Bumpus led ETBU with three hits, including a home run, driving in one run and scoring three times.
ETBU’s pitching was led by Matthew Irwin, who allowed one earned run on five hits and no walks. Carson Speegle gave up three earned runs on three hits, including two home runs in 0.2 of an inning. Noah Bushko and Tyler Bogusz provided brief relief appearances, with Bushko pitching 0.1 of an inning without allowing a hit and Bogusz retiring both batters he faced in 0.2 of an inning. Jagger Neely went 1 1/3 innings, surrendering three earned runs on six hits, taking the loss.
In the second inning, Trinity took an initial lead with a solo home run, but ETBU responded in the fourth inning. Lea hit a two-run homer with one out, bringing home Bumpus and putting the team ahead 2-1.
ETBU extended its lead in the sixth inning with a solo home run by Bumpus, increasing the score to 3-1. Trinity, however, mounted a comeback in the eighth inning. A home run took place on the first pitch of the inning, and three batters later, Trinity added a two-run homer for the 4-3 lead.
ETBU tied the game in the bottom of the eighth when Bumpus scored on a single by Rumachik. The game remained tied at 4-4 through nine innings. ETBU had a chance in the bottom of the ninth with two on and one out but a double play ended the threat. In the top of the 10th, a two-RBI triple and a subsequent RBI single allowed Trinity to score three runs, taking a 7-4 lead. ETBU had the bases loaded with two outs in the bottom of the 10th but a strikeout ended the game as Trinity came back to win the Regional Championship.
