RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Tarleton State Softball split a crucial doubleheader with first-place California Baptist on Friday at John C. Funk Stadium, dropping the opener 7-0 before bouncing back with a 1-0 shutout victory in game two. With the nightcap win, the Texans improved to 35-20 overall and 13-4 in WAC play.
The win marked Tarleton State's 35th victory, setting a new program record for most regular season wins in a single season during the Division I era. The victory also clinched a first-round bye in next week's WAC Tournament.
With one game remaining in the regular season, Saturday's finale between the Texans and Lancers will decide the WAC regular-season championship.
California Baptist 7, Tarleton State 0
California Baptist broke through in the third inning and added insurance late to take the opener.
After two outs, the Lancers used back-to-back hits to plate the first run of the game on an RBI single. A passed ball later in the inning brought home another run to make it 2-0.
California Baptist extended the lead in the fifth, using a three-run home run to center field to push the advantage to 5-0.
The Lancers added two more runs in the sixth on an RBI single to second base, stretching the lead to 7-0.
Tarleton State threatened in the seventh with back-to-back singles from Hayden Fox and Madison Runyan, but California Baptist recorded the final outs to secure the victory.
Shelby Schultz made the start for the Texans and struck out four across five innings of work. Abigail Dowell pitched the final inning in relief.
Tarleton State collected six hits in the opener, with Fox leading the way with two. Casey Schultz, Runyan, Addison Wittram and Macie Vickers each added hits as well.
Tarleton State 1, California Baptist 0
The Texans answered in a big way in the nightcap, using timely hitting and dominant pitching to blank the conference leaders.
TSU scored the game's lone run in the top of the second. Jaelynn Duke singled up the middle and Casey Schultz followed with a base hit to put two aboard. After Isabella Bojkovic moved both runners over with a sacrifice bunt, Runyan reached on a throwing error by the pitcher, allowing Duke to score for a 1-0 lead.
That proved to be all the Texans needed.
Jaelynn Duke started and tossed 3.2 scoreless innings, allowing five hits. Shelby Schultz entered in relief and was lights out, throwing 3.1 hitless innings with a strikeout to earn her 17th win of the season.
The Texans finished with four hits in game two. Duke, Casey Schultz, Mikayla Wilson and Vickers each recorded hits, while Duke scored the game-winning run.
Tarleton State and California Baptist will meet Saturday in the regular-season finale with the WAC championship on the line.
