ST. GEORGE, Utah – Texan Baseball defeated the Trailblazers to secure the series Sunday afternoon and will return to the Lone Star State with a pair of wins to mark their 10th conference victory and 20th win of the season.
Tarleton State (20-15, 10-8 WAC) defeated Utah Tech (9-26, 7-11 WAC) Sunday afternoon with a 10-7 final to secure the series victory.
A pair of four-run innings carried the Purple and White to a win and a risky move for the Texans paid off in the top of the 9th as Slade McCloud stole home to give the visitors some insurance.
Freshman Braydon Risley got the start for Tarleton State with 3.2 innings on the mound, giving up three runs on three hits, one walk and seven strikeouts. Reese Bassinger (W, 2-1) secured his second win with 3.1 innings pitched, giving up three runs on two hits, one walk and three strikeouts. Jack Driskell claimed his third save going 1.0 inning on the bump, giving up no runs on two hits, no walks and no strikeouts.
Dylan Gardner (L, 0-6) started on the mound for Utah Tech and didn’t get an out, giving up four runs on three hits and three walks.
The Purple and White compiled 10 runs on 13 hits with a home run from Trace Morrison for his first of the season and second of his collegiate career. The Texans claimed five doubles with the help of Cris Enriquez (2), Mason Hammonds (1), Tyson Drake (1), and Mason Crews (1).
The Trailblazers finished with seven runs on eight hits with a pair of multiple run homers and a double.
Tarleton State started out hot at the plate with a four-run inning to get things started early on. Hammonds doubled as the leadoff and an RBI single from Drake brought the leadoff back home quickly. Cole Miears walked to see two Texans on base and an RBI single from Enriquez made way for Drake to cross the plate. With two runners in scoring position, Morrison walked to load the bases. Hunter Smith walked to see a free 90 feet bring in the third run for the visitors. The final run of the inning came in as Enriquez crossed the plate after a double play from the Trailblazers.
In the bottom of the first, the leadoff walked to put Utah Tech on the diamond early. With one out on the board, a passed ball made way for the runner to advance. With two outs recorded, an error from the Texans allowed the first run to come in for the home team.
The top of the third saw a solo home run from the inning’s leadoff as Morrison sent the ball soaring over the left field wall for his first homer of the season and second of his collegiate career.
In the Trailblazers’ half of the third, a pair of runs came in as the leadoff singled and the three-hole for the inning for Utah Tech claimed a home run of his own to bring in a couple of runs for the home team to see a 5-3 score.
The top of the fifth saw another five-run inning for Tarleton State. Enriquez led off the inning with a double and Morrison claimed his spot at first on a bunt, advancing Enriquez to third. With one out recorded, Ike Shirey singled, making room for the lead runner to come home. A double from Crews followed to send Morrison across the plate for the seventh run. A two RBI single from Kooper Shook buried the Trailblazers as another pair came in to make the score 9-3 in favor of the visitors.
The bottom of the seventh saw the leadoff for Utah Tech single to right field followed by a walk to set the scene for Kyle McDaniel with a three-run home run to chip away at the Texans’ lead. Three consecutive outs followed to see the inning come to a close at 9-6.
In the bottom of the eighth the leadoff was hit by a pitch to put the first runner on for the Trailblazers. A double to left center made way for the leadoff to come home, bringing in a solo run on the inning and the final run for Utah Tech.
The top of the ninth saw a leadoff double from Enriquez. McCloud came in to pinch run for Enriquez and with one out on the board, McCloud advanced to third on a passed ball. After the second out was recorded, McCloud stole home to bring the Texans into double-digit territory and take the wind out of the sails of the Trailblazers.
In the bottom of the ninth, a pair of singles brought a couple of runners to the bags, but a final fly out left two runners stranded and sealed the deal for Tarleton State at 10-7.
The Purple and White will return to Stephenville for some midweek action as the Texans host New Mexico State for a pair of games. Tuesday’s game will begin at 6 p.m. and Wednesday’s matchup will see a 12 p.m. start time.
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