STEPHENVILLE, Texas – Tarleton State Softball opened its home conference slate in dominant fashion on Thursday evening, rolling to an 8-0 run-rule victory over Abilene Christian in five innings at the Tarleton State Softball Complex. With the win, the Texans improved to 23-16 overall and 2-2 in WAC play.
Behind a record-tying performance from Jaelynn Duke and a complete-game shutout from Shelby Schultz, Tarleton State needed just five innings to secure its first home conference win of the season. Duke drove in seven runs on the night, tying Kalyn Hill, Georgia Capell and Katy Schaefer for the individual single-game RBI record in the Texans' Division I era.
Tarleton State struck first in the bottom of the opening frame. Mikayla Wilson singled through the left side and Macie Vickers followed with a walk before Casey Schultz drew a free pass to load the bases. Duke then ripped a two-run double up the middle, scoring Wilson and Vickers to put the Texans in front 2-0.
The Texans broke the game open in the second with five more runs. Hannah Reed opened the inning with a walk and Hayden Fox followed with another free pass before Wilson drew a third straight walk to load the bases. Casey Schultz then delivered an RBI single through the left side to bring home Reed and extend the lead to 3-0.
Immediately after, Duke delivered the decisive blow, launching a grand slam to left field to cap the inning and stretch Tarleton State's advantage to 7-0.
After both teams were scoreless in the third, the Texans added one final insurance run in the fourth. Vickers singled to open the inning before Mikaila Gilliland entered as a pinch runner and later moved to second on a passed ball. Duke came through again with an RBI single to center, scoring Gilliland and pushing the lead to 8-0.
That was more than enough support for Shelby Schultz, who was sharp from start to finish in the circle. The left-hander tossed a complete-game shutout in the five-inning run-rule win, allowing just two hits while striking out four and walking none to improve to 9-4 on the season. Abilene Christian managed only two baserunners in scoring position and did not advance a runner past third.
Duke led the offensive charge by going 3-for-3 with a double, a grand slam and seven RBI. Casey Schultz added a hit and a run scored, while Wilson scored twice and reached base twice in the win.
Tarleton State and Abilene Christian will continue the series on Friday with a doubleheader at the Tarleton State Softball Complex (1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.).
