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Tarleton State University Athletics

Texans meet on the mound as they are up against Houston Christian on Friday, March 13, 2026 in Stephenville, Tx.
7
Winner Houston Christian HCU 9-8
6
Tarleton State TAR 11-6
Winner
Houston Christian HCU
9-8
7
Final
6
Tarleton State TAR
11-6
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Houston Christian HCU 0 0 0 5 0 0 2 0 0 7 9 1
Tarleton State TAR 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 3 0 6 6 0

W: David Lopez (4-1) L: McCullough, Matthew (0-2) S: Ben Norton (1)

Game Recap: Baseball |

Tarleton State’s late push comes up short against Houston Christian on Friday night

STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Tarleton State fell just short in a late comeback attempt, dropping a 7–6 decision to Houston Christian on Friday night at the Tarleton State Baseball Complex.

Houston Christian (9-8) struck first in the fourth inning, plating five runs to take control early in the game. 

Tarleton State (11-6) began to chip away in the sixth inning. Kendyl Johnson reached base after being hit by a pitch before Rayner Heinrich doubled to left field to put two runners in scoring position. Slade McCloud followed with an RBI single to bring home the Texans' first run, and Carson Lorch added another RBI to cut the deficit to 5–2.

Houston Christian responded in the seventh inning with a two-run single to extend its lead to 7–2.

The Texans answered back in the bottom half of the inning when Cage McCloud launched a solo home run to left field, sparking a late rally.

Tarleton State made things interesting in the eighth inning. Brady Englett reached on an error and stole second before Johnson drew a walk to put two runners aboard. Lorch then delivered the big swing of the night, blasting a three-run home run to left field to pull the Texans within one run at 7–6.

Cage McCloud followed with a triple to keep the momentum alive, but Houston Christian was able to escape the inning and hold onto the lead.

Tarleton State threatened in the ninth inning but was unable to complete the comeback as the Huskies secured the 7–6 victory. 

The Texans used six pitchers on Friday. Brendon Carter started and allowed no action in the first inning. Matthew McCullough (0-2) took the loss, allowing four earned runs on five hits with five strikeouts in 2.1 IP. Anthony Treto allowed an earned run on two hits in 1.2 IP, Andrew Hardin two earned runs on no hits and two walks in an inning, Jackson Elizondo allowed no runs on two hits in two innings, and Conner Doucet allowed no action in the ninth.

The Huskies outhit the Texans 9-6. Three arms went for HCU, with the starter David Lopez (4-1) earning the win, allowing no runs on one hit with six strikeouts in five innings. 

The Texans and Huskies will battle again in Stephenville Saturday at 3 p.m. in the second game of the series. 


 
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