MARSHALL, Texas – Linfield matched East Texas Baptist hit for hit, but couldn't push runs across at key junctures and the result was a surprising 7-2 loss to the Tigers on Thursday during the opening round of the NCAA Division III Marshall Regional at Taylor Field.
Linfield (36-8) and East Texas Baptist (33-10), ranked No. 6 and No. 7 in the most recent NFCA Top 25 poll, were paired against one another in what could be easily called the most challenging first-round playoff game of the 2022 NCAA playoffs. It didn't help Linfield's cause that the game was played with the temperature exceeding 90 degrees.
The high-stakes loss drops Linfield into an elimination game against Fontbonne on Friday at 2:30 p.m. CDT (12:30 PDT). Fontbonne lost to top-seeded Belhaven 8-2 in Thursday's late game.
Abi Proffitt and
Claire Seats drove in single runs for Linfield in the second and third innings, respectively, but the Wildcats found themselves playing catchup the entire way after ETBU plated three runs in the bottom of the first.
The Tigers' early scoring burst was aided by a controversial ruling.
Katie Phillips caught a deep fly ball by Carley Carpenter at the wall for what appeared to be the third out, but the umpiring crew ruled the Linfield left fielder used the wall to aid her catch. The ball remained live, allowing Tauryn Cummings to score from third base.
After pulling to within 3-2 on Seats' double, Linfield looked in position to rally. But the Wildcats stranded runners at second and third base to end the fifth inning, then loaded the bases in the sixth but again couldn't produce run-scoring hits. Linfield left eight runners on base while ETBU stranded just four.
Wildcats pitcher
Tayah Kelley gave up nine hits and was held to a season-low two strikeouts by the opportunistic Tigers.
Proffitt and
Brynn Nelson each had two hits. Seven of Linfield's nine batters generated base hits.
Kathryn Reed earned the win in the circle for ETBU, improving to 12-4 for the season. She struck out nine Wildcats and walked two while yielding nine hits.
Cummings went 3 for 3 in the game, including two doubles and a home run to lead the hometown Tigers.
