STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Tarleton State (22-12, 2-3 WAC) fell to Abilene Christian (18-17, 2-3 WAC), 11–4, on Friday after a six-run fourth inning by the Wildcats created an early deficit that the Texans were unable to overcome.

ACU struck first in the second inning with an RBI single, then broke the game open in the fourth with four consecutive home runs as part of a six-run frame to take a 7–0 lead.

Tarleton State got on the board in the sixth inning when Kendyl Johnson launched a solo home run to left field. The Texans added single runs in the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings, highlighted by a sacrifice fly from Jake Tatom and another RBI from Raphael Smeenk, but the early surge by ACU proved decisive.

Ethan Wendel (2-2) was charged with the loss after allowing seven earned runs on eight hits in four innings. Jack Lovin surrendered three runs over 1.0 inning, while Brendon Carter allowed one run across 1.2 innings. Carter Coffin recorded the final out of the ninth inning.

 The rubber match between the Texans and Wildcats will begin at 12 p.m. Saturday in Stephenville.