EL PASO, Texas – The Texans ended their five-game slate at the UTEP Invitational in El Paso, Texas, on Sunday morning, falling to Creighton at Helen of Troy Field 2-1.
 
Tarleton (11-7) went 2-3 in the tournament, with all five games decided by four or fewer runs. The Texans had beaten the Bluejays in Stephenville during the Whataburger Invitational just over a week ago 3-1, but Creighton (6-8) evened the season series with the one-run victory.
 
Both pitchers had solid outings, allowing a combined three runs and nine hits. Tarleton's Tristan Bridges (3-4) allowed two earned runs on four hits and four walks, adding five strikeouts in 6.0 IP. Creighton's starter Natalia Puchino (3-3) also went six innings, allowing one earned run on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts. Payton Akers earned her first save with a perfect seventh inning.
 
For the fourth straight game, Tarleton got on the board first, and for the second straight game, Tristyn Trull plated the run. Austin Germain doubled in the second inning, Brady Rowland advanced her to third with a single, then Trull sent Germain home with an RBI single. With runners at second and third and one out, Tarleton struck out and flew out to end the threat.
 
Pitchers cruised through the order until the bottom of the fourth, including a second inning strike-out-the-side frame by Bridges. In the fourth, the Blue Jays had the bases loaded with two outs. Saren Croker singled home two runs to give Creighton a 2-1 lead, which ended up being the final score.
 
The Texans threatened in the sixth inning, getting runners on the corners with two outs before flying out.
 
Rowland went 2-for-3 on the day, with Trull (one RBI), Germain (one run) and Katy Schaefer adding a hit as well.
 
The Texans will return home for one game next week, taking on old WAC foe Lamar on Wednesday at 6 p.m. CT at the Tarleton Softball Complex.