FARMERS BRANCH, Texas -- The UT Tyler Patriots opened the 2012 American Southwest Conference Softball Championship Tournament at Oran Good Park with an 11-2 win over rival East Texas Baptist in five innings. The Patriots now advance to play Louisiana College at 4 p.m. Friday.

After going up 2-0 in the top of the first on a home run by Heather Abshire, the Patriots (34-7) allowed ETBU to tie the game in the top of the second after putting runners at second and third with just one out.

UT Tyler wasted no time regaining the lead, plating five runs in the bottom of the second, beginning with an RBI single by Katelyn Thomason that scored Lauren Robenalt. Joey Cronin, Ashley Endsley and Abshire all had RBIs in the inning as well.

The Patriots added to their lead in the fourth, thanks to Endsley and Rachel Howell.

Abshire tossed the complete game for UT Tyler, giving up just four hits in the process.

ETBU (24-16) opened the day with a 3-0 win over Hardin-Simmons to advance to the winner's bracket with the top-seeded Patriots. They now face Howard Payne in an elimination game at 11 a.m. Friday.