STEPHENVILLE, Texas – Tarleton State fell for the first time at home in 2026, dropping a 6-2 final to South Dakota State on Saturday at the Tarleton State Baseball Complex.
 
The Texans (4-2) suffered their first home loss in five games, while the Jackrabbits improved to 2-5 on the year, all games on the road.
 
The Jackrabbits struck first in the third inning, scoring four runs to take early control of the game. Tarleton State responded with a run in the bottom half of the third, but couldn't muster much more, adding a run in the sixth the rest of the game.
 
Tarleton State was outhit 10-6. Brady Englett went 2-for-3 with a walk, double and RBI to lead the Texan offense. Rayner Heinrich, Carson Lorch, Jake Tatom and Kendyl Johnson also had hits on the day, with Lorch adding an RBI.
 
The Texans sent five pitchers to the mound, combining for 11 walks and four hit batters. Ashton Bassett took the loss in his start after working 2.1 innings, allowing four earned runs on five hits and five walks. Ethan Jaques, Andrew Hardin, Ben Bosse and Matthew McCullough combined to throw 6.2 innings of relief.
 
South Dakota State's starter Sam Novotny made it seven innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits and a walk, with three strikeouts, earning the win.
 
The Texans have a chance at a second series win in as many home series with a Sunday 12 p.m. start at the Tarleton State Baseball Complex against the Jackrabbits.