ABILENE, Texas – Cold bats and a four-run fifth inning from Abilene Christian was enough to hand the Texans their first series loss in over a month Saturday as Tarleton State fell 5-2 dropping the series 2-1.
 
Tarleton State now moves to 13-8 inside WAC Conference play and sits 29-18 overall.
 
The Wildcats once again got off to a quick start scoring their first of five runs in the bottom of the first. With two on, Catrin Hoffman stepped to the plate and singled through the left side scoring one to make it 1-0 ACU early on.
 
In the top of the second the Texans quickly responded with two runs of their own off the bat of Casey Schultz. She hit a no-doubter to left field once again driving in two runs (Jaelynn Duke on) to give the Purple and White their lone lead of the game 2-1.
 
The next eighteen outs between the two teams saw no runs come across for either program before the Wildcats put up a four-spot in the bottom of the fifth. Elizabeth Schaefer stepped into the box in the bottom half of the fifth and doubled to right field scoring Audrey Lacina and moving Taylor Bachmeyer to third to tie things up 2-2. Hoffman then made her presence known once again, this time homering to right field scoring three to put the home team up 5-2, the final.
 
For the Texans, Shelby Schultz (L, 13-4) took just her fourth loss of the year as she allowed five runs (all earned) on seven hits across her 4.2 IP. She struck out four and walked just one. Alexa Rehmeier then tossed the final one-and-a-third innings and allowed just two runners to reach via the walk.
 
For the Wildcats, Lina Russo once again took the circle going the distance once again this time allowing two runs (both earned) on four hits while she walked a pair and struck out three.
 
The Texans are set to return to action next Tuesday when the Purple and White are scheduled to play five games in five days. Tarleton State will return to the friendly confines of the Tarleton State Softball Complex on Tuesday at 1 p.m. to complete the home-and-home with Prairie View A&M. Last time the two teams faced off the Texans run-ruled the Lady Panther 15-1 (5). The next day the Stephenville squad will hit the road for a four-game road trip first heading south to San Antonio. The Texans are set to face off with UTSA for a single game at 6 p.m. Tarleton State will then catch a flight to the Ocean State of Rhode Island for a three-game series with Providence. Game times are set for a doubleheader on Friday at 2 p.m. CT and 4:30 p.m. CT. The final game of the series is set for Saturday at 11 a.m. CT.
 
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