COMMERCE – Tarleton State will not give up and it showed more than ever today in the Texan’s two big wins.
The Texans, now 8-6 on the season took down the Lions on Texas A&M-Commerce (5-10) for the first time at their place since April 1, 2016. In game 1 of the day, the Purple and White took down Summit League Champion Nebraska-Omaha (9-6) with a 4-3 walk-off double by Katy Schaefer.
“I thought we did a better job of grinding out our at bats today,” said head coach Mark Cumpian. “Our pitchers pounded the zone with strikes and did a good job of keeping us within striking distance. I am proud of the full team effort tonight. We will need the same energy going into tomorrow.”
Tarleton State 4 Nebraska-Omaha 3
Game 1 of the day was just what the Texans needed to get things going again. After falling 9-0 on Friday, Tarleton State came out on Saturday hungry for a win over the Mavericks.
The Mavericks got the scoring started plating three runs in the top of the fourth. The first run came off a double to left field by Sydney Ross scoring Ava Rongisch. The second and third runs were tacked on after Lynsey Tucker reached on an error and Alex Olson and Ross were able to cross the plate.
The Texans didn’t wait long to get on the board scoring two in the bottom of the fourth. Austin Germain doubled to right center scoring Bella Hernandez who pinch ran for Schaefer after she reached on a fielder’s choice and Kelci Hill who reached base with a single up the middle to open the bottom of the inning.
In the following inning the Texans tied things up at three as Schaefer doubled to right center scoring Avery Songer. Songer reached base after drawing a walk.
The score remained tied at three heading into the bottom of the seventh giving Tarleton State the opportunity to take the second matchup with Nebraska-Omaha in walk-off fashion. The Texans capitalized on the opportunity as Schaefer once again came through clutch as she doubled down the left field line scoring Kayla Wallace walking off the 2023 Summit League Champions.
Alexa Rehmeier went the distance for the Texans giving up just three runs (one earned) on seven hits, striking out two and walking four.
Tarleton State 2 Texas A&M-Commerce 0
After securing the first win of the day, the Texans attention turned to the host Texas A&M-Commerce.
Baserunners and hits were a rarity for both teams during the nightcap as there was just a combined eight hits on the game.
The matchup with the Lions was a pitchers dual through seven innings before the Texans scored the go-ahead runs in the top of the eighth.
Kelci Hill got on base in the top half of the eighth inning as she singled to center. Tristyn Trull then flashed her muscles for the first time this season sending a two-run long ball over the left field fence. This marked the only scoring from either team in the first matchup in Commerce since May of 2019.
This is Trull’s first home run of the season and the fifth of her career.
Hannah Blincoe went all eight innings for the Texans giving up just three hits, striking out seven and walking just a single batter. Her seven strikeouts mark a career-high and she now leads the team with 17 strikeouts on the season over 29 innings of work.
The Texans will be back in action on Sunday for their final game of the 2024 Lion Invitational as they will take on South Dakota for the second time in three days.
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