KINGSVILLE – The Tarleton State Texans dropped the first game of the final series of the regular season Friday night with a 7-2 loss to the Javelinas.
 
Tarleton State, who is in control of its own postseason fate, is still attempting to clinch the final playoff spot in the Lone Star Conference Tournament. They will secure the No. 4 seed with one more win or an Eastern New Mexico loss.
 
Matt Herrick started the game locked in a pitcher's duel with Ryan Scott over the first five innings. The Tarleton right-hander allowed just one hit, one walk and a third runner who reached on an error as the teams were in a 0-0 deadlock.
 
Evan Robinson got things going offensively for the Texans with a leadoff double to start the sixth inning. The senior shortstop came around to score two batters later when Zach Fleet ripped an RBI single back up the middle for a 1-0 Tarleton lead.
 
Kingsville answered the call, however, in the ensuing half inning with a 2-RBI single, RBI double and another RBI single to take a 4-1 lead over the Texans. The Javelinas added three more in the next inning to take a bigger lead at 7-1 after seven.
 
The Texans fought to the very end, as the Purple and White put up a run with two outs in the final inning, beginning with a double from Landon Merka. After the Merka two-bagger, Dalton Weeks reached on an error before back-to-back walks from Matt Olive and Elijah Christenson plated the final run of the game.
 
As a team, Tarleton managed five hits in the game with Robinson leading the way at 2-3 with a single, double and a walk. Alec Humphreys, Fleet and Merka had the other three hits for the Texans.
 
Herrick took the loss for Tarleton after throwing the first six innings and allowing four runs on six hits and a walk. The sophomore hurler did, however, strike out a season-high eight batters.
 
Eythan Lenz allowed two runs in relief while Troyal Yosko allowed one run in an inning of work. Cole Foster tossed the final inning of scoreless relief.
 
The Texans will get back to action in the regular season finale tomorrow afternoon for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. at Nolan Ryan Field.