ST. GEORGE, Utah – Tarleton State Baseball fell short at the plate in the second meeting with the Trailblazers this weekend.
Tarleton State (19-15, 9-8 WAC) struggled to find their groove offensively in the second game of the series against Utah Tech (9-25, 7-10 WAC) with a 4-1 final in favor of the home team Saturday afternoon.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, a three-run home run gave the Trailblazers some insurance with a four-run lead.
Matt Haley (L, 2-5) started on the mound for Tarleton State with 5.1 innings on the bump, giving up three runs on three hits, five walks and two strikeouts.
Evan Vasiliiou (W, 3-4) got the start for the Trailblazers with 7.0 innings pitched, giving up one run on two hits, two walks and one strikeout. Carson Bonus secured his first save with 1.0 inning on the mound, giving up no runs on no hits, one walk and one strikeout.
Tarleton State compiled one run on two hits with
Cris Enriquez tallying the lone double for the visitors.
Utah Tech finished with four runs on five hits with a three-run homer and a pair of doubles.
The home team was first to the board early on with a lone run in the bottom of the first. The leadoff walked and a pair of outs followed. A double to left center scored the first run for the Trailblazers for an early lead.
The next four innings were scoreless across the board.
In the bottom of the sixth, the leadoff for Utah Tech doubled to start off the inning. With one out on the board, a single placed the lead runner into scoring position. A home run from Jack Walker added three to the board for a 4-0 lead in favor of the home team.
Cole Miears was hit by a pitch to start off the Texans' half of the seventh. A double to center field from Enriquez made way for Miears to cross home, putting the Purple and White in the game. Three consecutive outs followed to end the comeback for Tarleton State.
Neither team scored the remainder of the game, closing out the afternoon at 4-1 in favor of Utah Tech.
The rubber match will begin Sunday at 12 P.M. CT.
