LETU Baseball Splits Doubleheader with HSU

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A four-run seventh inning in the nightcap gave the LeTourneau University a doubleheader split with host Hardin-Simmons University on Sunday in Abilene. The YellowJackets lost game one, 2-1 in 12 innings and rallied for the 4-2 win in game two. In both games, LETU got strong solid pitching from its starters – Justin Jenkins(game 1) and Cody Whitley (game 2). The doubleheader split puts LETU at 5-4 overall and 3-2 in the American Southwest Conference. 

A solo walk-off home run by HSU lead-off batter Zack de Luna in the 12th inning was enough to push the Cowboys to the victory. Despite not being involved in the decision, LETU starter Justin Jenkins went a solid nine innings, scattering six hits, an earned run and struck out 11. It is the second-straight game that the senior from Hallsville has had double-digit strikeouts. The last 12 inning game for LeTourneau was on April 15, 2005 against Ozarks.
 
After a scoreless first four innings, HSU took a 1-0 lead when they started the fifth with back-to-back doubles off Jenkins. LeTourneau came back to tie it in the sixth. The YellowJackets' Bryce Henry was hit by a pitch to start the inning. Then, he moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kyle Jacobs and advanced to third on a fly out by David Perkins. With two out, Dillon Yates picked up his team-leading fifth hit with two outs to score Henry and tie the game at 1.
 
LETU stranded a pair of base runners in the seventh and ninth. The YellowJackets withstood a bases loaded threat and no out threat in the ninth. It was not until the one out, home run by de Luna in the 12th was the game decided.