STEPHENVILLE, Texas – Tarleton brought just one run home in a close 4-1 conference loss to Stephen F. Austin on Friday afternoon at the Tarleton Baseball Complex.
 
Tarleton (14-14, 1-8 WAC) allowed three SFA (15-14, 9-5 WAC) runs on five hits in the first two innings as the Lumberjacks jumped out to an early 3-0 lead at the end of the second inning.
 
The Texans held SFA in check the rest of the way allowing one run on two hits in the final six innings. Texan relievers Grant Garza, Dylan Delvecchio and Jake Burcham combined to toss the final 6.1 innings with Garza leading the way, throwing 4.1 shutout innings. Burcham threw the final 2.0 without allowing a hit.
 
The offense for the Texans was not up to its usual standard. They struck out just twice all game but SFA starting pitcher Cade Stapleton (W, 1-4) pitched to contact and earned the win as he went 7.0 innings allowing a lone run on five hits. Reid Boyett (S, 2) picked up the save as he threw the final two innings allowing just one hit.
 
Trace Morrison impressed at the plate for Tarleton, finishing with three hits and a walk. The only run of the game for the purple and white came off the bat of first baseman Jack Wagner on a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Alec Williams to make it a 3-1 SFA lead in the third inning.
 
Freshman Reece Elston got the start for Tarleton and pitched 1.2 innings allowing three runs on five hits. He struggled out of the gate, allowing the first four Lumberjack batters on base, but recovered strong as he struck out three straight to get out of the first inning allowing just one run.
 
The series finale is set for a 1 p.m. first pitch on Saturday and will be streamed on ESPN+.