The Teams: Tarleton State (27-28, 17-13 WAC) vs. Sacramento State (26-30, 14-16 WAC)
Where: Phoenix, Arizona
Ballpark: Hohokam Stadium
Day and Time: Tuesday at 6 p.m. CT
Streaming Platform: ESPN+
 
About the Matchup
 
Game Notes
• In the most recent meeting with the Hornets, Tarleton State swept Sacramento State in Sacramento.
• After the regular season sweep, the Texans claimed a 4-3 overall record against Sacramento State
• Tarleton State is coming into post season play after a 1-2 weekend at UTA, taking the final game of the series with a 19-9 final over the Mavericks.  
• Sacramento State is coming into the matchup after going 1-2 on the weekend against UTRGV, taking the Friday evening game, then dropping the remaining two.
• This is the Texans best Division I record in program history and best overall record through 55 games since 2018 when Tarleton State finished 35-17, competing in the Lone Star Conference Championship Tournament and the NCAA Regional Tournament. In the 2024 season, the Texans will make their first ever appearance in Division l postseason play at the 2024 University Credit Union WAC Baseball Tournament.
• Tarleton State was picked to finish 9th in conference but the Texans secured the fifth seed.
 
Quick Hits
   • Tarleton State leads the WAC in stolen bases (92) and fielding percentage (.987).
•  Garza is also tied for 23rd in the nation for most wins at 8-1.   
• Ike Shirey is 3rd in the WAC for stolen bases with 19. 
• The Texans welcome a new head coach in the 2024 season, Fuller Smith. Smith is accompanied by Nick Zaleski, RD Spiehs and Cody Semler in their inaugural year with the Texan Baseball program. 
•  In his first season with the Purple and White, Coach Smith is on track to share a seat at the table with some of the best season records of previous coaches in their first year at Tarleton State at 26-26. Lee Driggers amassed 37 wins in his inaugural season at Tarleton State. Bill Clay and Trey Felan secured 31 wins each in their first season, while Jack Allen tallied 29 and Bryan Conger finished with 28. 
• Right handed pitcher, Will Stevens was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 15th round of the MLB Draft in 2023. Stevens takes the slot as the ninth Texan in program history to be selected in the MLB's first year player draft.
 
Fuller Smith Era
       On June 8, 2023, Fuller Smith was named the newest leader of Tarleton State's Baseball program. The Alabama, native, has had a hand in the success of various programs, several of which the Texans will face in conference play. In the previous season, Smith wrapped up his three-year stint as an assistant coach for Sam Houston State University. Prior to his time in Huntsville, Smith spent six seasons at UT Arlington as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. The 2008 Ole Miss graduate has a plethora of experience that will be a core source of success for the Purple and White this season. The Fuller Smith Era (on the field) will officially commence with the weekend series against the SLU Lions. 
 
 
 
In the Box
A handful of returners have put up some impressive stats in the 2024 season and have proven to be a leading force for the Texans at the plate. Tyson Drake leads the team in several categories including runs (52), home runs (8) and is tied for most triples (2). Trace Morrison has nine doubles on the season, 28 RBI and is one of seven Texans that have tripled this season. Kooper Shook is tied for second in doubles (11) and has one homer on the season and a .374 on-base percentage. Cole Miears has seven home runs, 10 doubles, 40 RBI, and is sitting at a .464 slugging percentage and .450 on-base percentage to lead the team and holds a 38-game streak for getting on-base. Miears has contributed 60 hits, 10 doubles and 42 runs. Mason Hammonds has also found his stride in the box as the Purple and White's leader in doubles (16). Hammonds has four home runs on the season, leads the team in hits (66) and has tallied 28 RBI on the season. Cris Enriquez leads the team in RBI (52) and batting average (.325). Enriquez has 62 hits, 11 doubles, one triple, and seven homers on the season. He has a .503 slugging percentage and a .402 on-base percentage. 
 
Strength in Numbers
  With a 40-man roster in the 2024 season, the Texans have a great balance of experience within the program. The Tarleton State roster is made up of nine freshman, five sophomores, 15 juniors, and 10 seniors. Out of the 25 upperclassmen on the team, only nine are new to Texan Nation. 
 
 
Next Up
      The Texans will take on Sacramento State in the single elimination round of the 2024 WAC Tournament in Mesa, Arizona. 
 
Recognition
         To kick off the season, Senior, Zach Poe found his name on the 2024 Preseason All-WAC Team. The Madisonville, Texas, native is a strong arm for the Texans leading the team with the best ERA and WHIP. The right-handed pitcher also leads the team in appearances for the third consecutive season with 23, all out of the bullpen. The most recent recognition for the Texans came on Feb. 26 with Brandon Howell taking the WAC Player of the Week title. In the home opener for the Purple and White, Howell had one of his best collegiate career games with two home runs, one tying the game for the home team and the second winning the game with a walk-off grand slam. Howell also received The Grove Student Athlete of the Month for the month of February. He also took the Purple Thursday Special Performance of the Month for February. 
 
       
Broadcasting On the Worldwide Leader
       Part of the latest renovations to the Tarleton Baseball Complex and Tarleton Softball Complex included the capability to match ESPN standards of multiple camera angles on the broadcast. With that, Tarleton will stream select 2024 baseball and softball home games on ESPN+. All games that are not broadcasted
on ESPN+ will be broadcasted on WAC International. 
 
WAC Preseason Poll
       Tarleton was chosen to finish 9th out of 11 schools in the WAC preseason poll. The poll was released on February 6.  The Texans received 34 total votes and slotted in ahead of Stephen F. Austin and Utah Tech. Grand Canyon was picked to win the league, followed by Utah Valley and California Baptist. 
 
 
Hometown hero
      Trace Morrison is a Stephenville, Texas, native, that has made a large impact on the Texan Baseball program. The sophomore made some stellar contributions on the field in his first season with Tarleton State. In the 2024 season as a sophomore, Morrison is batting .278 with 32 runs on 54 hits, nine doubles, one triple, one home run and 28 RBI.