ARLINGTON, Texas — Tarleton State went toe-to-toe with No. 7 Arkansas at Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers, in Arlington, Texas, on Monday. After giving up three runs in the first inning, the Texans held the Razorbacks scoreless for the final eight, but they couldn't get a key hit when it mattered, falling 3-1.
The Texans (3-1) fell for the first time this season, in their fourth game in four days to start the 2026 campaign. After sweeping Le Moyne at home Friday-Sunday, Tarleton State faced a tall task in Arlington, taking on No. 7 Arkansas (3-1), the highest ranked opponent in Tarleton State Baseball history.
The Texans battled the Razorbacks from start to finish, despite allowing three runs in the opening inning. Tarleton State's pitching staff quickly settled in, holding the Razorbacks scoreless over the final eight frames.
Karsen Davis,
Aden Lucas, and
Anthony Treto combined for seven shutout innings out of the bullpen, allowing just five hits while striking out five to give the Texans a chance to win at the end.
Tarleton State broke through offensively in the fifth inning.
Kendyl Johnson started the rally with a triple, and
Carson Lorch followed with a double down the left-field line to bring Johnson home, cutting the deficit to 3–1. Lorch finished 2-for-4 with an RBI, while Johnson went 1-for-3 with a triple and a run scored.
The Texans continued to apply pressure throughout the game, collecting six hits against Arkansas to the Razorbacks' eight.
Slade McCloud and
Brady Englett each added base hits, while Tarleton State worked multiple deep counts and forced the Razorbacks to rely heavily on their bullpen late. The Texans had multiple chances to tie the game, getting a runner on third in the fifth, a runner on third in the seventh, and two batters on in the eighth, but Arkansas relievers closed things out when it mattered most.
Tarleton State's
Daniel Bass earned his first start since 2024, and ended up taking the loss as he allowed three earned runs on three hits and two walks with two strikeouts in two innings. Davis relieved him, allowing no runs, two hits with three strikeouts in two innings. Lucas was next, allowing no runs, one hit, with two strikeouts in two innings. Treto covered the last three innings, allowing no runs on two hits.
Arkansas reliever Ethan McElvain earned the win in relief after Tarleton State chased starter Peyton Lee in the fifth inning. McElvain allowed no runs and one hit with five strikeouts in 2.2 IP. Mark Brissey recorded the save with no runs allowed, one hit and one walk with three strikeouts.
Tarleton State returns home for a three-game series against South Dakota State at the Tarleton State Baseball Complex. The Texans will first host the Jackrabbits on Friday at 3 p.m.
