STEPHENVILLE, Texas – Tarleton State Softball opened its first home series and first true series of the 2026 season with a split against Rhode Island on Thursday at the Tarleton State Softball Complex, run-ruling the Rams 11-1 in five innings in game one before falling 13-1 in five innings in game two. The game one victory also marked head coach Mark Cumpian's 300th career win as head coach.
The Texans moved to 19-13 overall after the doubleheader.
Tarleton State 11, Rhode Island 1 (5 innings)
After two scoreless innings to open the first game, Tarleton State broke through in the bottom of the third.
Addison Wittram started the inning with a single to left center and later moved into scoring position. After Hayden Fox was hit by a pitch, Jaelynn Duke launched a three-run home run to left center, scoring Wittram and Fox to put the Texans in front 3-0.
Rhode Island got on the board in the top of the fourth with a solo home run, trimming the lead to 3-1.
Tarleton State responded in a big way in the bottom half of the inning, erupting for eight runs to end the game early. Isabella Bojkovic opened the frame with a double to center, and after Braylin Pannill reached on a walk, Mikaila Gilliland entered as a pinch runner. Wittram then dropped down a bunt single to load the bases.
With the bases full, Mikayla Wilson drew an RBI walk to bring home Bojkovic and make it 4-1. Mariah Debose followed with another RBI walk, scoring Gilliland to stretch the lead to 5-1. Fox then singled to center field to plate Wittram and push the advantage to 6-1.
Still with the bases loaded, Duke worked an RBI walk to score Wilson and extend the lead to 7-1. One batter later, Casey Schultz broke the game open with a grand slam to left center, bringing home Debose, Fox, and Duke and capping the eight-run inning at 11-1.
Tarleton State totaled eight hits in the win, led by Duke, who went 1-for-1 with a three-run homer, four RBI and two walks. Schultz finished 1-for-1 with a grand slam, four RBI and two walks, while Wittram went 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Runyan added a pair of hits, and Fox scored twice and drove in a run.
In the circle, Shelby Schultz earned the complete-game win and improved to 6-3, allowing just one run on five hits over 5.0 innings while striking out seven without issuing a walk.
Rhode Island 13, Tarleton State 1 (5 innings)
Rhode Island jumped out early in the nightcap, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning on five hits to take a quick 3-0 lead.
The Rams added another run in the second on an RBI double to make it 4-0.
Rhode Island broke the game open in the third, plating five more runs. An RBI fielder's choice and an RBI groundout pushed the lead to 6-0 before a three-run home run extended the margin to 9-0.
The Rams continued to add on in the fourth, scoring three more runs on three hits and three walks to move in front 12-0.
The Texans got on the board in the bottom of the fourth. Duke led off with a double to left center, and Casey Schultz followed with an RBI double to right field to score Duke and make it 12-1.
Rhode Island added one final run in the fifth on an RBI groundout for the 13-1 final.
The Texans were limited to four hits in game two. Casey Schultz went a perfect 2-for-2 with a double and the lone RBI, while Duke doubled and scored the only run. Madison Runyan also added a hit in the loss.
Tarleton State used four pitchers in the nightcap, with Jaelynn Duke opening the game in the circle. Duke was charged with the loss and moved to 2-3 after allowing three runs on five hits over 0.1 innings. Sadie Beck followed and tossed 1.2 innings, allowing three runs on two hits with four walks and one strikeout. Gracie Riney worked 1.0 inning and surrendered six runs on five hits, while Taylor McKean closed out the final 2.0 innings, allowing one run on three hits.
Tarleton State will return to action on Saturday with another double header against Rhode Island. Game times are set for 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
