BELTON, Texas - The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor baseball team fell victim to an eighth-inning rally from East Texas Baptist University Friday evening in Belton. The Crusaders fell in game one of the series 8-3. The loss drops the Cru's record to 13-11 overall and 7-9 in American Southwest Conference play while the ETBU victory brings the Tigers to 20-7 on the season and 17-2 in the ASC.
 
After a scoreless first inning, ETBU started the scoring with an RBI groundout by Brett Wagner, giving them a 1-0 lead. The Crusaders took the lead in the bottom of the third frame on a two-RBI triple by Malek Bolin. For the next three innings, pitchers on both sides wouldn't allow a run, leaving the score 2-1 heading into the seventh. Zachary McAdams tied it up with an RBI sacrifice flyout to make the score 2-2 with two innings to play. The Tigers scored again in the top of the eighth frame with an RBI single by Austin Barry and an RBI walk issued to McAdams. Now with a 4-2 lead in the eighth, Will Kelley broke it open for ETBU with a grand slam to make it 8-2. Down six runs in the ninth inning, UMHB was able to scatter a few hits and get some runners on base but the late threat would only give them one run on an RBI single by Kaden deBerardinis. Will Kelley and Christopher Robinson each had three hits for the Tigers in the contest. Caimyn Holiday led the way for the Cru with three hits of his own.
 
James McGlumphy got the start on the mound for the Crusaders and threw 6.2 innings. McGlumphy gave up two runs on seven hits and struck out five. Trevor Ripke relieved him and earned the loss (3-3). Ripke threw 1.1 innings and allowed six runs on five hits. Chris Dubois came in to throw the last inning and didn't allow a baserunner in the outing. Cole Godkin was the starting pitcher for ETBU and earned the win moving him to 5-1 on the season. Godkin threw seven innings and allowed two runs on eight hits while striking out six. Godkin was relieved by Trent Clark who threw the final two innings. Clark allowed one run on two hits and struck out four to close out the game.
 
The series continues tomorrow with a double header starting at 12 P.M. at Red Murff Field in Belton.