COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Tarleton State (28-16, 17-7 WAC) put together a strong offensive showing Tuesday but ultimately fell 9-7 to No. 7 Texas A&M (34-8, 14-6 SEC) at Blue Bell Park.

Texas A&M struck first with a solo home run in the opening inning and added two more runs in the second to take an early 3-0 lead. The Texans responded in a big way in the fourth inning, erupting for five runs. Carson Lorch and Cage McCloud each launched back-to-back solo home runs to spark the rally, while Sergio Guerra delivered an RBI double and Rayner Heinrich capped the inning with a two-run double to give Tarleton State a 5-3 advantage.

The Aggies answered with two solo home runs in the fifth inning to tie the game at 5-5, but the Texans quickly regained momentum in the sixth. Heinrich drove in another run with his second double of the night, and a throwing error allowed another run to score, extending the Tarleton State lead to 7-5.

Texas A&M responded once again in the bottom half of the sixth, plating two runs to even the score at 7-7. The Aggies then pushed across the go-ahead runs in the eighth inning to secure the 9-7 decision.

Rayner Heinrich led the Texans offensively, finishing 3-for-5 with two doubles and three RBI. Carson Lorch and Cage McCloud each added home runs, while Sergio Guerra recorded two hits and an RBI as Tarleton State totaled 13 hits in the contest.

On the mound, Jack Lovin (0-1) took the loss. The Texans' pitching staff combined for eight strikeouts across six pitchers, with Jackson Elizondo recording three strikeouts in two innings of relief. 

The Texans will return to action Friday when they travel to Utah Tech for a 7 p.m. CT start to open a three-game weekend series.