Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Texans dropped a pair of games Friday at Providence in the Purple and Whites final non-con weekend before heading home for the biggest series of the year with California Baptist Friday-Saturday for senior weekend.
 
Tarleton State 4 Providence 6
 
After the Texans jumped out to early 1-0 lead, the Friars outscored the Texans 6-3 in the final six frames as the Purple and White dropped Game 1.
 
Austin Germain got things started hitting her sixth long ball of her senior campaign to left putting Tarleton State up 1-0 in the top of the first.
 
In the bottom of the second, the home team scored a pair to go up 2-1 and never trailed following the runs. Sofia Peterson singled up the middle as Emma Eichten scored followed by Rachel Petrarca who scored on an error to make it 2-1.
 
The bottom of the third saw Providence tack another run on as Eichten singled to center scoring Elisa Smith while Emma Douma socred on an error to make it 4-1.
 
In the fourth inning the home team went up 5-1 as Gabriella Sebastian reached on a fielder's choice as Hanna Aldrich scored to go up by four.
 
Germain once again made her presence know as she homered for the second time in the game, this time to left field once again to make it 5-2. The senior is now tied for second-most homers on the team thus far this season.
 
The Black and White scored their final run of the game in the bottom of the sixth as Smith singled to left as Sebastian scored on an error to make it 6-2.
 
Tarleton State looked to rally in the top half of the seventh and fell just short as the Texans only scratched across a pair of runs. Braylin Pannill hit a sac fly to right allowing Mikaila Gilliland to score (pinch ran for Jaelynn Duke) to make it 6-3. Hayden Fox then also hit s sac fly to center scoring Riley McDaniel (pinch ran for Casey Schultz) making it a 6-4 game, the final.
 
For the Texans, Hannah Blincoe (L, 9-10) went 2.2 IP allowing four runs (two earned) on seven hits while she struck out a pair. Sadie Beck the tossed the next three innings as she allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits while she struck out and walked a pair each. Gracie Riney went the final third-of-an-inning putting up all zeros across the board.
 
For the Friars, Tori Grifone went the distance allowing four runs (two earned) on three hits while she struck out five.
 
Tarleton State 1 Providence 2
 
Game 2 of the day was a low scoring one as the Texans dropped the doubleheader with a 2-1 loss in the nightcap.
 
The home team jumped out first this go around as Douman hit a sac fly to center scoring Smith to make it 1-0 in the first. Aldrich then grounded out in the third as Smith came home to score to make it 2-0.
 
The Texans lone run of the game came in the sixth inning as Germain scored from third as Tristyn Trull stole second to make it 2-1, the final.
 
In the bottom half of the sixth, Shelby Schultz made history as she became the first freshman in program history to strikeout a 150 which also puts her seventh all-time in single-season strikeout total thus far. She came into the weekend sitting 27th in the nation in total strikeouts.
 
The final game of the three-game non-con series has been canceled due to inclement weather in the Providence area and will not be made up.
 
Tarleton State is now set to return to action Friday-Saturday as the Texans host their biggest series of the year. While the Purple and White have had a spot secured in the conference tournament for a while now, the final series vs. California Baptist is a huge one for seeding and bye implications. Texan Nation is encouraged to pack the Tarleton State Softball Complex for the three-game series as eight Texans will play their final home games of their careers for the Purple and White.
 
Action on Friday is set to get underway at 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. and will be mini bat giveaway night. Saturday will be a special one as the senior will play their final regular season game on home turf at 11 a.m. The senior class will then be honored post-game so fans are highly encouraged to stick around for the post-game festivities celebrating a phenomenal senior class.
 
For the latest news on the Texans, follow Tarleton Softball on Facebook, Instagram and X @tarletonsoftball.