JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Katy Schaefer added two more long balls to her storied Texan career, and her first one of the day gave her sole position of third all-time in program history for home runs as she came into the weekend in a three-way tie for third with Samantha Swanda (31, 2011-12) and Alicia Petersma (31, 1999-2002).
Tarleton State is now 11-13 on the season after dropping contests to USC Upstate (8-11) and host of the Jacksonville Spring Break Challenge, Jacksonville (8-11).
In Game 1 of the day, the Texans tied things at five in the top of the sixth before the Spartans of USC Upstate scored the winning go-ahead run in the bottom of the frame as Tarleton State failed to get a run across in the top of the seventh following Tristyn Trull’s leadoff ground-rule double.
In Game 2 Tarleton State looked to turn things around but the late rally in the sixth inning fell short as the Texans fell 5-3 to the host Dolphins of Jacksonville.
Tarleton State 5 USC Upstate 6
The Texans left 10 runners on the base paths as they outhit the Spartans 13-5 but ultimately fell 6-5 after USC Upstate’s go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth inning.
The first two and a half innings went scoreless before USC Upstate broke the deadlock and got on the board as Denver Lauer singled through the left side scoring Amie Johnson making it 1-0 Spartans.
The Texans didn’t allow the Spartans to have the lead long as they put up a four-spot in the top of the fourth. Hayden Fox singled through the right side scoring Tristyn Trull and moving Austin Germain to third. Ashlee LaRue then grounded out as Germain crossed the plate making it 2-1 Texans and Fox moved to third. Kelci Hill then singled to left field scoring Fox giving the Texans the 3-1 advantage. Schaefer then singled to left scoring Kelci Hill making it 4-1 Tarleton State.
In the bottom of the fourth the Spartans put up a four-spot of their own taking the lead back 5-4. The Spartans scored off two singles, a sac fly and plated a run as a Spartan stole second.
In the top of the sixth Tarleton State tied things up at five as Schaefer once again singled to left scoring Kayla Wallace.
The tie didn’t hold long as the Spartans scored a run of their own in the bottom of the frame off a wild pitch giving them the 6-5 lead.
Trull hit a leadoff ground-rule double to start the seventh but the Texans were unable to push her across as she advanced to third as Germain grounded out to the third baseman. Following Germain, Fox struck out looking and the Texans were down to their final out. LaRue popped out to the shortstop on a 2-2 count ending the hopes of getting back in the win column.
Alexa Rehmeier (3-2) got the start for the Texans and took the loss as she went 5.1 IP giving up six runs on five hits. She walked six, struck out four and hit one batter. Makenzie Dunbar pitched the final 0.2 innings giving up no runs on no hits. She had one wild pitch which allowed the go-ahead run to score for USC Upstate.
Tarleton State 3 Jacksonville 5
The Texans had a quick turnaround for Game 2 of the day as they faced the Dolphins of Jacksonville immediately following the loss to USC Upstate.
The Dolphins led wire to wire in this one as their five runs over the three first innings were enough to defeat the Texans 5-3 as Tarleton State has now lost six in a row.
The scoring got started in the first inning as Kailey Harrigan singled up the middle scoring Madison Reynolds making it 1-0 Spartans. In the second inning Alison Carter scored on a wild pitch making it 2-0.
In the top of the third, Tarleton State got on the board as Schaefer hit her first home run of the day making it 2-1 Dolphins. The Dolphins then scored their final three runs in the third inning off two singles and a sac fly making it 5-0 Jacksonville.
After a scoreless fourth and fifth, the Texans rallied in the top of the sixth scoring two more as Schaefer hit her second long ball of the season with a two-run shot over the left field fence.
In the top of the seventh, Fox got on with a singled up the middle before the next three Texans went down in order ending the hopes of splitting the day.
Hannah Blincoe (4-2) got the start for Game 2 and earned the loss after going 1.2 innings and giving up two runs on four hits and walking one. Dunbar made her second appearance of the day once again only going 0.2 innings giving up three runs on five hits. Kendall Daniel went the final 3.2 inning and gave up no runs on two hits, striking out two and walking one.
The Texans will be back in action bright and early as they will face Presbyterian at 8 a.m. CT. The second game with Presbyterian will currently not be played due to incoming weather in the Jacksonville area.
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