ARLINGTON, Texas — Tarleton State (21-8,1-0 WAC) opened conference play in strong fashion Thursday night, using a dominant pitching effort to secure a 3-1 victory over UT Arlington (11-17, 0-1 WAC) in the Texans' first Western Athletic Conference matchup of the season.

The Texans struck first in the third inning when Slade McCloud doubled to deep right field and later scored on an RBI single by Rayner Heinrich, giving Tarleton State an early 1-0 advantage. Tarleton State added to its lead in the fifth inning after Kendyl Johnson doubled down the right field line and came home on a sacrifice fly from Heinrich to push the lead to 2-0.

UT Arlington answered in the sixth inning with a solo home run to right field, trimming the deficit to 2-1. The Texans responded in the seventh, capitalizing on defensive pressure. Brady Englett worked a walk, advanced to third on an error, and scored on Heinrich's second sacrifice fly of the game to extend the lead to 3-1.

On the mound, Matthew McCullough (2-2) earned the win for Tarleton State after delivering four scoreless innings, allowing just two hits while striking out two. Ethan Jaques provided two innings of relief, and Anthony Treto shut the door with three scoreless frames, striking out three to record his first save of the season.

Tarleton State's pitching staff combined to hold UT Arlington to just four hits and one walk on the night. 

Heinrich finished 2-for-2 in the game, accounting for all three RBI. Johnson, Englett, Slade McCloud, and Cage McCloud each had a hit on the night, with Johnson's and Slade McCloud's a double. 

The Texans will return to action Friday afternoon as they face UT Arlington for the second game of the series, with first pitch set for 1 p.m. in Arlington, Texas.