- Box Score

SAN ANTONIO – A Katie Welborn two-run blast in the top of the ninth gives Tarleton (31-19, 16-11) momentum heading into the Lone Star Conference postseason as well as 4-2 win in nine innings to take the series against Incarnate Word (26-23, 11-16) Saturday.
 
In an early pitcher's duel, Tarleton found themselves trailing 1-0 after four innings with the only run coming on an RBI triple in the UIW third inning.
 
The TexAnns answered in the fifth to crack the score column when Alex Orf came in to score on a fielder's choice by Samantha Swanda to knot the score 1-1.
 
Incarnate Word added one more in the bottom of the sixth on two hits and an error, but the TexAnns would not be denied.
 
In the top of the seventh, the TexAnns forced extras when Kelsey Latta worked a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Amber Sotelo.
 
Arianna Rodriguez tied the game on the first pitch she saw with a double to left field, plating Latta from second. The TexAnns loaded the bases with two out, but were unable to get any more across.
 
Incarnate Word got a leadoff, pinch-hit single in the bottom of the eighth, but a sacrifice bunt and two fly outs kept the game tied at 2-2 into the ninth.
 
In the top of the ninth, Bailee Mauldin led off the inning with a pinch hit single and late moved to second on a sacrifice bunt.
 
After a pop up, Welborn ripped a 1-0 pitch over the center field wall for her 14^th home run of the season to take a 4-2 lead.
 
The Cardinals had two runners reach base in the bottom of the ninth with two outs, but Swanda got a foul out to end the game.
 
The senior right-hander went all nine innings allowing two runs – one earned – on seven hits with 11 strikeouts.
 
Sotelo had the only multi-hit game of the day, going 2-2 with a run scored while Rodriguez, Welborn, Swanda, Abigail Tammen, and Mauldin had the rest of Tarleton's seven total hits.
 
The TexAnns will travel to Denton next weekend for the Lone Star Conference Championship Tournament at Texas Woman's University. For more information on the tournament, check back to TarletonSports.com.