STEPHENVILLE, Texas – The Texans cruised through five innings against Sam Houston in the rubber match on Saturday, but a grand slam by the Bearkats in the sixth inning immediately after a controversial call gave the orange team the win.
 
The Texans (25-24, 9-9 WAC) held the lead for the majority of the game at the Tarleton Softball Complex in Stephenville, jumping ahead 1-0 after the first and maintaining a 4-1 lead from the third to the sixth. Sam Houston (19-30, 9-9 WAC) plated five in the sixth inning, capped off by a Hannah Scheaffer grand slam.
 
In the sixth, Katy Schaefer had seemingly thrown out the runner at first to put two outs on the board with two ducks on the pond. The first base umpire instead called the runner safe, ruling first baseman Jordan Dickerson's foot was off the bag, and after a lengthy crew meeting, upheld the call. Sam Houston's Scheaffer took advantage of the decision and belted one over the fence in the next at-bat.
 
Tarleton reliever Kennedy Ferguson (5-4) was tagged with the loss, allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits and a hit batter in 2.1 IP. Grace Garcia got the start, going three innings, giving up an earned run on two hits and a walk, with one strikeout. Tristan Bridges relieved Ferguson after the grand slam and shut down five straight Bearkats.
 
The Texans chased Sam Houston starting pitcher Emma Guindon in the fourth, scoring four earned runs on six hits and two walks. Reliever Daryn Grams (7-7) earned the win after not allowing a run nor hit over the final four innings, with two walks and a strikeout.
 
Kelci Hill got the Texan offense started on the day with a single in the first at-bat, then Kayla Wallace promptly doubled her home to give Tarleton a first inning 1-0 lead. Sam Houston led off the third with a solo shot to tie the game. In the bottom half, Tristyn Trull and Schaefer had back-to-back RBI doubles, then Brady Rowland followed with an RBI single to put Tarleton ahead 4-1. Sam Houston took their lead in the sixth, and it was three-up three-down for both sides in the seventh.
 
Six different Texans had a hit on the day; Hill, Wallace, Trull, Schaefer, Rowland and Dickerson. Wallace, Schaefer and Dickerson also induced a walk, along with Austin Germain.
 
The Texans split their six-game homestand and now will play about 90 miles northeast for a three-game series against UT Arlington at Allan Saxe Field. The first game will be on Friday at 6:30 p.m. CT, followed by a doubleheader on Saturday that starts at noon.