DURANT, Okla. ? The Tarleton TexAnns' ninth trip to the Lone Star Conference Championship Tournament didn't start out the way the TexAnns had hoped, losing 8-0 to Midwestern State in the opening contest. However, Tarleton rebounded with a 6-2 victory over Texas A&M-Kingsville to stay alive in the double-elimination tournament in Durant, Okla.
The TexAnns were thrown into the losers bracket Thursday after dropping the first game before Tarleton sent TAMUK home with its second loss of the day. The TexAnns will play Abilene Christian at 11 a.m. Friday, May 2 for the right to continue their postseason run. Tarleton took two of three from the Wildcats in the regular season series in Stephenville.
The game will be broadcast on KTRL 100.7 FM and online at www.tarleton.edu/~ktrl.
Midwestern 8, Tarleton 0
In the top of the second inning, MSU scored two runs on three hits to take the early lead. The Mustangs added two runs on three hits in the top of the fourth to take a 4-0 lead.
Then, in the top of the sixth inning, the TexAnns had two errors and allowed four runs to score on two hits to give the Mustangs an 8-0 advantage. Tarleton failed to score in the bottom of the sixth inning despite having the bases loaded, and Tarleton fell to the run rule in the opening game of the tournament.
Brooke Saulters took the loss after pitching the first 3.2 inning and allowing four runs on six hits with two walks and two strikeouts. Lauren Zearfoss came in for relief and pitched 2.1 innings and allowed four runs, one earned, on three hits with a walk and a strikeout.
Katie Peterson won the game, pitching six complete innings and allowing five hits with two walks and seven strikeouts.
Tarleton 6, Texas A&M-Kingsville 2
The TexAnns scored first in the top of the second inning when Brittnee Rice slammed a solo home run over the right field fence to put her team up early, 1-0.
The Javelinas took the lead in the bottom of the fourth when they scored two runs on three hits off of starter Saulters. The TexAnns then tied the game in their next at-bat.
In the top of the fifth with one out, Laura Mehl singled down the left field line and advanced to second on a bad throw from the left fielder. Nicole Cone filed to center before a Tamra Bradley single up the middle scored Mehl. The run tied the game at two.
Kelli Gayle singled through the right side to open the sixth frame before advancing to second on a fielder's choice by Rice. Meagan Eldridge came in to pinch run as the flex player for Rice. April Gonzalez then put down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners to second and third prior to a Brittany Terry single that scored Gayle and put Tarleton ahead, 3-2.
In the top of the seventh with one out, Bradley reached on an error by the shortstop before Sautlers singled to center. A Tami Sutton single up the middle loaded the bases. Gayle then reached on a fielder's choice when the shortstop tried to throw Bradley out at home, but the TexAnn first baseman slid in safely. Rice then got a hit and an RBI, but she was then called out because she had not been reentered into the game, and all the runners had to return to their bases. With two outs, Gonzalez reached on a fielder's choice when the shortstop tried to get Gayle out at second, but an errant throw scored by Sutton and Saulters to give the TexAnns a 6-2 lead.
Saulters then retired the side in the bottom of the seventh, and Tarleton remained alive in the postseason hunt.
Courtney Rigamonti took the loss for the Javelinas who threw seven complete inningsand allowed one walk and six runs on eight his, three earned. She struck out three batters.
Saulters improved to 16-12 on the season and allowed two earned runs on three hits with six strikeouts and no walks.
