STEPHENVILLE, Texas – Tarleton State Softball opened their final home series with a doubleheader sweep over Utah Tech on Friday at the Tarleton State Softball Complex, taking both games to clinch the series. With the game one victory, the Texans also clinched their spot in the Western Athletic Conference Tournament. Tarleton improved to 33-18 overall and 11-3 in conference play.
Behind a dominant performance in the circle in game one and an offensive explosion in game two, Tarleton State moved to 2-0 in its final home conference series.
Tarleton State 2, Utah Tech 1
In a tightly contested opener, the Texans used a key third-inning rally and a strong outing in the circle to secure the win.
After two scoreless innings by both the Texans and the Trailblazers, Tarleton State broke through in the bottom of the third. Madison Runyan drew a walk and advanced into scoring position on a passed ball before Braylin Pannill also reached via walk. After Addison Wittram laid down a sacrifice bunt to move both runners, Mariah Debose delivered a two-RBI single through the right side, scoring Runyan and pinch runner Mikaila Gilliland to give the Texans a 2-0 lead.
Utah Tech threatened late, cutting the deficit to one with a solo home run in the top of the seventh. The Texans, however, held on, retiring the final three batters to secure the 2-1 victory and their spot in the WAC Tournament.
Shelby Schultz tossed a complete game, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out nine to earn her 15th win of the season.
Tarleton State recorded three hits in the game, with Debose accounting for both RBI. Runyan and Mikayla Wilson each added a hit in the win.
Tarleton State 8, Utah Tech 3
The Texans used a big third inning and four home runs to pull away in game two of the doubleheader.
After Utah Tech took a 1-0 lead in the top half, Tarleton State answered in a big way in the bottom of the inning. Casey Schultz led off with a solo home run, followed by a solo shot from Jaelynn Duke to give the Texans a 2-1 lead. Later in the inning, Braylin Pannill blasted a three-run home run to center field, scoring Hayden Fox and Runyan to cap a five-run frame and extend the lead to 5-1.
Utah Tech pushed across a run in the top of the fourth, but the Texans responded again in the bottom half. Fox delivered an RBI single up the middle to score Duke, and Scarlett Poore drew a bases-loaded walk to bring in another run, stretching the lead to 7-2.
The Trailblazers added their final run in the fifth on an RBI single to cut the deficit to 7-3. However, the Purple and White added an insurance run in the sixth as Fox launched a solo home run to left field, her first of the season, pushing the lead to 8-3.
Utah Tech threatened in the seventh, loading the bases, but Shelby Schultz entered in relief and struck out the side to secure the win and earn the save.
Jaelynn Duke earned the win after tossing four innings in relief, allowing two runs. Abigail Dowell got the start, while Schultz closed out the game with a dominant final inning.
The Texans tallied nine hits and were powered by four home runs from Casey Schultz, Duke, Pannill and Fox. Pannill led the way with three RBI, while Fox added two RBI and scored three times. Tarleton State also showed patience at the plate, drawing 10 walks.
The four home runs marked back-to-back conference series with a four-homer game for the Texans, previously accomplishing the feat against Southern Utah.
Tarleton State will look to complete the series sweep on Saturday in the regular-season home finale, with first pitch at 12 p.m. Texan Softball will also honor their graduating seniors with Senior Day following the game.
