BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Tarleton State Softball continued their season-opening tournament with two more action-packed wins over Furman and Gardner-Webb on Saturday at the Runnin' Bulldog Classic.
Freshman pitcher Taylor McKean earned her first complete collegiate game, leading the Texans to a 7-2 win over Furman in the opener. Tarleton State earned another run-rule victory in game two, defeating tournament host Gardner-Webb 14-3.
Tarleton State 7, Furman 2
In their second face-off of the Runnin' Bulldog Classic, the Texans jumped on the board early. Madison Runyan kicked things off in the first inning, doubling down the right-field line to score Macie Vickers and Mikayla Wilson.
One inning later, Mariah Debose reached home plate on a single to left field by Addison Wittram.
After a quiet third inning, Furman got on the board with a run on a single to third base.
The Texans responded with a big fifth inning, scoring four runs on four hits. Hayden Fox ripped a double to right center, allowing Runyan and Mikaila Gilliland to score. Fox then came around to score herself after Wilson singled to shortstop. Wittram reached first on an infield error that resulted in another run for Debose.
Furman added one more run in the top of the sixth on a walk, but Tarleton State kept the lead.
In her first starting appearance, McKean pitched all seven innings, holding Furman to just two runs and keeping the Texans in control throughout the game.
Tarleton State 14, Gardner-Webb 3
Tarleton State brought the energy in Game 2, scoring 14 runs in just five innings to secure another convincing win.
The Texans wasted no time getting on the board. In the opening inning, Jaelynn Duke doubled to right center to drive in two runs and give Tarleton State an early advantage.
The Purple and White added to the lead in the second inning when Wilson singled to left center to bring in Fox and Debose.
The offense continued to roll in the third. Madison Runyan launched a two-run home run to left field, bringing Duke home. Fox followed with a double that plated two more runs for Debose and Wittram.
Vickers closed out the inning for the Texans with a single through the right side, bringing home Fox and Wilson and extending the lead to 10-0.
Gardner-Webb got on the board in the bottom of the third, scoring one run on a wild pitch.
Tarleton State followed up with four more runs in the top of the fourth.
With bases loaded, Debose pushed Runyan across the plate after being walked. Immediately after, Fox sent a double to left field to bring in Wittram and Isabella Bojkovic. Debose eventually found the plate herself, bringing the score to 14-1.
Gardner-Webb scored two more runs in the bottom of the fourth, but the Texans responded in the top of the fifth to seal the win.
Sadie Beck got the start in the circle, pitching three full innings and allowing just one run. Shelby Schultz worked the final two innings in relief, striking out three while helping close out the run-rule victory for the Texans.
Tarleton State will wrap up their opening weekend on Sunday with their final game against Youngstown State in the Runnin' Bulldog Classic at 9 a.m. CT.
