ST. GEORGE, Utah — Tarleton State (29-16, 9-4 WAC) powered past Utah Tech (29-17, 6-4 WAC) on Friday night, using a late offensive surge to secure a 9-6 victory at Bruce Hurst Field.

The Texans struck first when Jake Tatom led off the game with a solo home run, and he stayed locked in all night at the plate, finishing 5-for-6 with a home run to set the tone offensively. Tarleton State continued to apply pressure early with Rayner Heinrich reaching base and Slade McCloud adding steady production in the middle of the order, but Utah Tech responded to keep the game tight through the middle innings.

Utah Tech briefly held momentum behind a two-run fifth inning and a solo home run in the seventh, but Tarleton State kept answering. Sergio Guerra delivered a key RBI single in the fifth, and Cage McCloud helped keep the Texans within striking distance. 

The turning point came in the eighth inning when Tarleton State exploded for five runs to take control for good. Heinrich and Tatom each delivered key RBI moments in the frame, and Cage McCloud launched a two-run home run to right field to blow the game open and give the Texans a comfortable cushion.

Tarleton State finished with 9 total hits, led by Tatom's dominant night at the top of the order. Cage McCloud also had a big performance with a home run and multiple RBI, while Sergio Guerra added timely production in the middle of the lineup to help fuel the win.

On the mound, Karsen Davis earned the win in relief to improve to 6-0, while Tai Phetluangsy closed the door with a scoreless ninth inning to secure his sixth save of the season.

The Texans will be back in action for Game 2 of the series on Friday at 3 p.m. CT in St. George.