BELTON, Texas â€" The Texas Lutheran softball team split a road doubleheader Tuesday against Mary Hardin-Baylor, dropping the first game 5-1 before rallying to take game two 7-1.
 
It was the second straight split of a road doubleheader for the Bulldogs as they moved their record to 2-2 on the year. Mary Hardin-Baylor moved its record to 1-4 overall.
 
The Bulldogs roared back in a big way in the second game after the offense was held in check in the game one. The big blow came in the fourth inning with the Bulldogs putting a five-spot on the board to open up a 7-1 lead they would hold through the rest of the game.
 
The inning started with the Bulldogs loading the bases behind two walks and a bunt single from Ashley Jacobsen. The first two runs of the inning came off a Crusader error. Taylor Yancey delivered the next big blow, coming up with a two-run single to put the Bulldogs up 6-1.
 
The Bulldogs would load the bases again with one out in the fourth after the Yancey single. The final run of the inning came off a Nicole Snow pinch-hit RBI single.
 
Samantha Yenne (Lake Jackson, Texas) earned the decision in the second game, making her first career start and going five innings while allowing just one run on two hits and two walks. The freshman struck out two on the day.
 
Texas Lutheran staked Yenne out to an early 1-0 lead in the second inning after a Molly Gorrie walk with the bases loaded forced in a run. After UMHB evened the score in its half of the second, the Bulldogs would retake the lead for good in the third behind an RBI double from Maegan Taylor.
 
The Bulldogs' pitching was outstanding all game, limiting the Crusaders to just three hits on the day and walking just two batters.
 
The first game ended up in Mary Hardin-Baylor's favor 5-1, despite the Bulldogs matching the Crusaders with nine hits apiece. The difference came in the eight runners TLU left on base compared to three for UMHB.
 
In that one, the Bulldogs actually got out to an early 1-0 lead in the third inning after Grace Estes singled home Jaime Ohm with two outs.
 
The Crusaders would score the game's final five runs, scoring one in the fourth, three times in the fifth and once more in the sixth.
 
Kimberly Leschber (1-1) took the loss in the circle for the Bulldogs, getting the start and allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits. Elyse Hlavinka finished off the game, putting in one inning of work and giving up one run on two hits.
 
Jacobsen (Marion, Texas) enjoyed a strong day from the plate in that first game, going 3-for-4 with a run score and a stolen base.
 
Texas Lutheran will have some time off before its next games. The Bulldogs are back in action with another road doubleheader at 1 p.m. March 1 at Houston-Victoria.