STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Tarleton State used timely hitting and strong pitching to pull away from South Dakota State, securing a 9–2 victory Friday afternoon at the Tarleton State Baseball Complex.
 
The Texans opened the scoring in the second inning when Carson Lorch delivered an RBI single, plating Jake Tatom to give the Texans a 1–0 lead. The advantage grew in the third as Sergio Guerra doubled home Brady Englett before Kendyl Johnson followed with an RBI double of his own, extending the lead to 3–0.
 
South Dakota State answered with runs in the fourth and fifth innings, trimming the margin to 3-2. However, Tarleton State responded immediately in the bottom of the fifth, as Lorch drove in another run with his second RBI single of the afternoon to restore a two-run cushion.
 
The Texans broke the game open in the sixth inning, sending 10 batters to the plate and scoring four runs. Tatom delivered the big blow with a two-run single to right-center, while Johnson and Lorch each added RBI hits to push the lead to 8–2. 
 
Tarleton State added its final run in the eighth inning when Lorch launched a solo home run to left field, capping off a standout performance at the plate.
 
Lorch led the Texans offensively, finishing 4-for-6 with four RBI and a home run. Englett also had a big day, going 4-for-5, while Tatom chipped in two hits, two RBI, and three runs scored. Johnson added two hits and two RBI, and Guerra contributed an RBI double and two runs.
 
On the mound, Brian Panneton worked 4.2 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) while striking out six. Karsen Davis earned the win after tossing 2.1 scoreless innings in relief, and Aden Lucas closed out the final two frames without allowing a hit.
 
With the victory, Tarleton State improves to 4–1 on the season and remains undefeated at home. The Texans will be back at home tomorrow afternoon as they face the Jackrabbits again.