- Box Score
PORTALES, N.M. – The Tarleton TexAnns claimed a 10-9 Lone Star Conference South Division victory on Saturday at Eastern New Mexico to sweep the three-game series in Portales, N.M.
Tarleton improved to 20-21-1 overall and 8-7 in the South Division while ENMU fell to 11-35 and 2-13.
In the bottom of the first inning, the Zias scored first on a two-run home run by Taylor Howard before a single by Melanie Alderette chased Tarleton starting pitcher Katie Smith who was replaced by Randi Fentress.
With two outs in the top of the third inning, Rebecca Wessels singled to first on a bunt before stealing second. Arriana Rodriguez then homered to right center to tie the game at two runs apiece.
The home team took the lead in the bottom of the third inning on two runs on one hit and an error that put the Zias ahead, 3-2.
However, the TexAnns regained the lead in the top of the fifth. With one out, Wessels walked and Victoria Kelly reached on a fielding error before Rodriguez singled to left to load the bases. Samantha Swanda sent a grand slam over the left field fence to put Tarleton ahead, 6-3. The TexAnns put more runners on the bases, but a strikeout ended the inning.
ENMU added two runs on two hits in the bottom of the inning to cut the lead to 6-5.
The TexAnns struck again in the top of the sixth. Kelly reached on another field error before Wessels was out at first on a sacrifice bunt that moved Kelly to second. Rodriguez singled to short before Swanda walked to load the bases. Katie Welborn then hit the TexAnns second grand slam of the day to make it 10-5 TexAnns. Tarleton would get two more runners on base, but a ground out ended the half inning.
In the bottom of the seventh, the home team would open the frame with a single and a double to return Smith to the circle for the TexAnns. The Zias would score three more runs on five a total of five hits in the inning before Swanda came in and got the last out on a strikeout to give Tarleton the victory.
Smith pitched 1.1 innings and allowed three runs on six hits with two strikeouts while Fentress pitched 5.1 innings and allowing six runs (five earned) on eight this with four walks and five strikeouts. She would get the win (4-4) while Swanda would record the save, her second. She faced two batters and walked the first before getting the game-ending strikeout. Tarleton won, 10-9.
Erin Roufosse started the game and pitched 5.2 innings while giving up six runs (five earned) on five hits with walk and three strikeouts. Brittany Widner, who got the loss to fall to 5-8 on the season, pitched1.1 innings and allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits with four walks and a strikeout.
The TexAnns will return to action at home against West Texas A&M on Friday, April 22 at 3 p.m. before hosting the Lady Buffaloes for a doubleheader on Saturday, April 23 at noon.
