ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Tarleton State capped off a strong weekend in Albuquerque, New Mexico, defeating New Mexico 9–7 on Sunday to complete a four-game series sweep of the Lobos and improve to 11-5 on the season.

The Lobos entered the series with just one loss in the first 13 games at 12-1, and the Texans dropped them to 12-5 when the series was over. This makes back-to-back four-game series sweeps for Tarleton State over New Mexico, now 8-0 against UNM all-time. 

The Texans had an epic week, going 5-0 with four wins over the Lobos and their first Power Four home win against Baylor. Tarleton State has won five straight, its longest winning streak since March 7-12, 2025, when they swept the Lobos and then beat UIW, who they play Tuesday.

The Texans wasted little time getting on the board in the first inning. Brady Englett worked a leadoff walk and later came around to score when Slade McCloud singled up the middle to give Tarleton State an early 1–0 lead.

Tarleton State's offense broke the game open in the third inning with a four-run rally. Rayner Heinrich started the frame with a single before McCloud added another base hit to put two runners on. Carson Lorch then delivered a clutch double to deep left field, driving in two runs to extend the lead. Cage McCloud followed with an RBI single, and Ike Shirey capped the inning with an RBI triple down the right-field line as the Texans built a 5–0 advantage.

The Texans continued to apply pressure in the fourth inning. Kendyl Johnson ripped an RBI double to right-center field, and Cage McCloud later added a two-run ground-rule double to push Tarleton State's lead to 8–0.

New Mexico chipped away late, scoring two runs in the sixth and adding four more in the seventh to pull within two runs. However, Tarleton State responded in the seventh when Shirey tripled again and came home on a sacrifice groundout by Raphael Smeenk to extend the lead to 9–6.

On the mound, Ethan Wendel delivered a strong start for the Texans, keeping the Lobos scoreless through five innings while striking out seven to earn the win and improve to 2-0 on the season. The bullpen worked through New Mexico's late push before Tai Phetluangsy closed the door in the ninth inning with back-to-back strikeouts to secure the win for his fourth save of the season.

Offensively, the Texans were led by Shirey, who finished with two triples and two RBI, while Lorch and Cage McCloud each drove in multiple runs. McCloud also collected two hits as part of Tarleton State's 10-hit performance.

The victory secured the series sweep for the Texans, capping off a dominant weekend against the Lobos.

The Texans return to action Tuesday, as Tarleton State hits the road to take on Incarnate Word at 2 p.m. in San Antonio.