STEPHENVILLE – A day of first for the Purple and White was action packed as Tarleton State (1-0) opened their season with a 5-4 win over McNeese State (0-1)
For the first time in the Mark Cumpian era, the Texans opened their campaign at home, and it didn’t disappoint. The Texans jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in the bottom of the first thanks to two more first. Freshman Casey Schultz tallied her first collegiate hit and RBI making it 1-0. Later in the first with bases loaded, Bella Hernandez notched a first of her own. The senior sent a shot to deep right field making it 5-0. Her long ball was the first of her career and came in her 100th career game for the Purple and White.
Shelby Schultz, the mirror image twin of her sister and fellow Texan, Casey, had a day for herself as well. She earned the start in the circle in her first ever collegiate contest and ended the day with her first ever collegiate win.
In the top of the first, Shelby Schutlz made quick work of the Cowgirls as the first two batters grounded out. After a walk of the three hole, Rylie Bouvier popped up to Hannah Reed as Shelby’s collegiate career was off to a great start.
The bottom of the first was much more exciting as the Texans scored five runs on three hits showing their determination early on.
Austin Germain got things going as she drew a lead-off walk before she was retired on a fielder’s choice. After reaching on a fielder’s choice, Jaelynn Duke advance to second as Tristyn Trull grounded out and then moved just 60 feet away on a passed ball. The Texans then had them on the corners early as Kalyn Hill also drew a walk. Isabella Bojkovic followed with a walk of her own.
With the bases loaded, Casey Schultz sent one through the right side collecting her first collegiate hit and RBI as she scored Duke to make it a 1-0 lead, but the scoring wasn’t over there.
With the bases still loaded, Hernandez stepped to the plate looking to make the Cowgirls pay. She did just that sending one deep over the right center wall blasting not only her first collegiate homerun, but a grand slam in her 100th career game for the Texans.
The second was quiet for both teams before McNeese State made some noise in the top of the third.
Adriana Mireles got a bunt down to lead off the inning followed by a swipe of second base. Jada Munoz singled to right field as Mireles rounded the bases making it 5-1. Alexis Dibbley then homered to left field making it a 5-3 game, putting pressure back on the Texans. The next two innings went scoreless before McNeese State pushed their final run of the contest across to make it 5-4, the final. With Dibbley on at third, Samantha Mundine hit a sac fly to center field to push Dibbley across.
With just three outs to go, Cumpian went to his bullpen for senior Hannah Blincoe. She came in and did just what was needed. She struck out the first and third batters as the second batter grounded out giving the Texans an opening day win. The win marks the first opening day win since the last one in 2016 as Tarleton State defeated Texas A&M International 11-3 (6).
For the Texans, Shelby Schultz (W, 1-0) went 6.0 IP earning the win as she gave up six hits, four runs while striking out seven and walking three. Blincoe tossed the final three outs tallying 1.0 IP, struck out two and earned her first save of the year.
For the Cowgirls, Lindsay Davis (L, 0-1) went just 1.0 IP as she gave up five runs on three hits and walked three. Ryann Schexnayder went the final 5.0 IP giving up just four hits.
The Purple and White is set to return to action in the Texan Classic Friday evening as Tarleton State will welcome Bucknell to the Ville.
Season tickets, tournament passes and single-game tickets are on sale now and can be found at tarletonsports.com/tickets. All Tarleton State games during the Texan Classic will air on ESPN + and live stats will be available for each game. For the full 2025 schedule click here.
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