RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Tarleton State Softball battled back late but fell in heartbreaking fashion Saturday afternoon, dropping a 7-6 decision to California Baptist on a walk-off two-run home run in the regular-season finale at John C. Funk Stadium. The Texans concluded the regular season 35-21 overall and 13-5 in WAC play.
With the win, California Baptist secured the WAC regular-season championship and the No. 1 seed in next week's WAC Tournament. Tarleton State earned the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye.
California Baptist struck first in the opening frame. After loading the bases, the Lancers plated two runs on a two-RBI single before adding another on an RBI double to take a 3-0 lead.
Tarleton State got on the board in the top of the second when Casey Schultz launched a solo home run to center field, cutting the deficit to 3-1.
California Baptist responded in the bottom half with an RBI single to push the lead back to three at 4-1.
The Texans trimmed the margin again in the fourth with back-to-back solo home runs. Jaelynn Duke opened the inning with a home run to left field, and Casey Schultz followed with her second homer of the game to make it 4-3.
The Lancers answered again in the bottom of the inning with an RBI double, extending their lead to 5-3.
Tarleton State mounted a dramatic rally in its final at-bat. Hayden Fox singled to begin the inning, and Alyssa Budisalovich drew a walk. After Macie Vickers singled to load the bases, Duke ripped a two-run double to right field to tie the game at 5-5. Moments later, Casey Schultz lifted a sacrifice fly to right field to score Vickers and give the Texans their first lead of the day at 6-5.
California Baptist had one final answer in the bottom of the seventh. After a runner reached, Victoria Macias hit a two-run walk-off home run to center field to give the Lancers the 7-6 victory.
Shelby Schultz started in the circle and worked four innings, striking out two. Jaelynn Duke tossed the final 2.1 innings in relief and was charged with the loss.
Tarleton State totaled 12 hits in the finale, led by Fox's three-hit performance. Duke went 2-for-4 with three RBI, while Casey Schultz drove in three runs with two home runs and a sacrifice fly. Madison Runyan added two hits, and the Texans showed resilience throughout with their late comeback push.
Tarleton State will now turn its attention to the WAC Tournament as the No. 2 seed next week in Stephenville.
