MARSHALL, Texas.  – The Denison softball team opened NCAA Regional play on Thursday afternoon with an 8-0 loss in five innings to No. 6 nationally-ranked East Texas Baptist University at Taylor Field.
The Tigers (38-4) wasted little time taking control, scoring five runs in the bottom of the first inning on four hits while taking advantage of a hit batter, walk and sacrifice fly to build an early advantage.
East Texas Baptist extended its lead to 6-0 in the second inning before adding two more runs in the fourth on a two-run extra-base hit.
Denison (20-20) was held to one hit in the contest as East Texas Baptist's pitcher tossed a complete-game shutout with six strikeouts.
The Big Red's lone hit came from senior Madilyn Moffitt, while Brooke Surbaugh suffered the loss in the circle and moved to 9-11 on the season.
Despite the setback, Denison remains alive in the double-elimination regional and will continue postseason play on Friday in an elimination game against the loser of Thursday's matchup between Rowan and St.Thomas.Â
