STEPHENVILLE, Texas – Although it got a bit dicey at the end, Tarleton held off the New Mexico State Aggies for a win in the rubber match, earning their second straight Western Athletic Conference series win.
The Texans (24-22, 8-7 WAC) plated six in the fourth to go up 8-2, and ended Saturday's contest with a clean seventh inning to win by a run, 8-7. They took two-out-of-three against NMSU at the Tarleton Softball Complex, dropping the Aggies to 18-19 overall, 7-8 in WAC play.
Tristyn Trull had the biggest hit for the home team, blasting a three-run shot over the left field wall to make it 8-2 Tarleton. The Texans ended up needing each one of those runs for the win. It was Trull's third home run of the season and her second over the past four games. She now has an eight-game hitting streak.
Tarleton starting pitcher
Tristan Bridges (9-10) went the distance and earned the win, allowing seven runs (four earned), six hits, two walks and two hit batters.
Bridges cruised through the first two innings, and in the bottom half of the second, the Texans struck first on an Amanda DeSario single. Two runs scored on her poke to left center that put Tarleton ahead 2-0.
In the top of the third, the Aggies got one back, but the threat was put to bed by DeSario on the defensive side. She showcased her arm on an attempted tag-up, throwing a dart to third base from right field for the inning-ending double play.
In the top of the fourth, New Mexico State opened with a solo shot to tie the game 2-2.
In the bottom half, Tarleton plated six on four hits and two walks.
Jordan Dickerson hit an RBI single back up the middle to put Tarleton back ahead, 3-2. DeSario followed with an RBI groundout, then
Kelci Hill joined the fun with an RBI single to make it 5-2. Trull mashed her home run a short while later to give the Texans a six-run lead.
New Mexico State then scored five over the next two innings to make things interesting. The Aggies manufactured two runs in the top of the fifth, then answered Trull's three-run home run with one of their own in the top of the sixth.
In the top of the seventh, Bridges sat NMSU down quickly to send Tarleton to the handshake line happy.
Hill,
Brady Rowland and DeSario all had multi-hit games.
Morgan Medford, Trull and Dickerson had a hit apiece. Eight different Texans scored a run, while Trull and DeSario each earned three RBI.
Tarleton will have some time off before their next WAC series, set to begin Friday with a doubleheader at 4 p.m. CT. It will be the Texans and Sam Houston Bearkats at the Tarleton Softball Complex.
