FORT WORTH, Texas — Tarleton State (23-13, 3-3 WAC) battled early and kept pace through the middle innings, but a late surge by TCU (22-14, 8-7 Big 12) proved decisive as the Texans fell on the road Tuesday at Lupton Stadium. 

Tarleton State struck first in the opening inning, using aggressive baserunning to manufacture an early run. After reaching base and stealing second, the Texans capitalized on an RBI single from Slade McCloud to take the early lead. 

TCU responded with a three-run second inning, but the Texans answered right back in the third. Rayner Heinrich doubled to spark the rally, and McCloud delivered again with an RBI double to cut into the deficit before a passed ball allowed the tying run to score, evening the game at 3–3. 

The Horned Frogs regained the lead in the fourth and added another run in the sixth to extend their advantage. Despite steady pitching efforts from multiple arms out of the bullpen, TCU broke the game open in the eighth inning with a seven-run frame. 

Tarleton State continued to compete until the final out, highlighted by Jake Tatom's two-run home run in the ninth inning to cap the scoring. 

Tarleton State utilized seven pitchers in the contest, combining for seven strikeouts across eight innings of work. Andrew Hardin made the start, allowing three runs over 1.2 innings, while Anthony Treto provided a strong outing out of the bullpen with three strikeouts in 1.1 scoreless innings. Jackson Elizondo (1-1) was charged with the loss, surrendering one run on one hit while striking out two over 2.1 innings of relief.

The Texans will return home to continue conference play on Friday, April 17, at 6 p.m., when they host California Baptist.