(Story Courtesy of Texas Lutheran University Sports Information Department)
MARSHALL., Texas -- No. 8 ranked and NCAA Regional No. 2 seed Texas Lutheran dropped its opening game of the 2023 NCAA Marshall Regional on Thursday, losing 2-1 to three-seed Belhaven in a rematch of the 2022 NCAA Seguin Super Regional.
Making their ninth straight NCAA Tournament appearance and in search of their second national title, the Bulldogs (38-7) will now face SUNY-Geneseo in a first-time ever matchup in an elimination game at 2:30 PM on Friday. The winner of that game will immediately play the loser of the 12 PM winner's bracket game between Belhaven and host, East Texas Baptist at a scheduled 5 PM start time.
After being held without a hit through four innings, senior Laura Hernandez got the Bulldogs on the board first with a leadoff, solo home run to start the fifth inning. The home run is her fifth of the season and 11th of her career, moving her into a tie with Cassie Roche for fifth on the TLU all-time home runs list.
Thursday's game-winner came courtesy of a two-run seventh inning from the Blazers, scoring on four hits and an error from TLU.
TLU righthander Sydney Ouellette suffered her first loss of the season. She surrendered two runs on six hits in three innings of relief. Amanda White started the game for the Bulldogs, throwing four shutout innings.
Texas Lutheran left seven runners on base, five of which were stranded in scoring position.
