ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (Interstat) — In a wild, back-and-forth offensive showcase, Slade McCloud drove in three runs and scored three times to lead the Tarleton State Texans to a 13-11 victory over the New Mexico Lobos on Friday night.

The game, which featured 33 combined hits and six lead changes, defied pregame projections that heavily favored the Lobos. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 7-5 New Mexico win, with an ELO system giving the Lobos a 58.7% probability of victory.

The most critical sequence came in the top of the eighth inning, with the score tied 11-11. Tarleton State’s Rayner Heinrich singled with one out, setting the stage for McCloud. The Texans’ second baseman, who entered the game on a hot streak, laced a double down the right field line, driving in two runs to break the tie. McCloud then stole third and scored on a sacrifice fly by Carson Lorch, providing the decisive final margin.

New Mexico, which fell to 12-2, mounted an immediate and powerful response after falling behind early. The Lobos erupted for five runs in the bottom of the third inning, highlighted by a two-run triple from Akili Carris, to take a 5-0 lead against Tarleton State starter McCullough.

The Texans (8-5) chipped away, but New Mexico seemingly seized control in the fourth. After reliever Coffin struggled, Damian Garcia launched a three-run homer to deep right field off Walter, capping a four-run frame and giving the Lobos an 8-2 advantage.

Tarleton State began its methodical comeback in the middle innings. A run in the fourth and another in the sixth made it 8-4, but New Mexico answered each time, extending its lead to 11-6 after six innings on an RBI single from Khalil Walker.

The Texans’ offense then exploded in the seventh. They sent 10 batters to the plate, scoring five runs on six hits to knot the game at 11. The rally included RBI hits from McCloud, Lorch and Guerra, and was aided by a costly fielding error by New Mexico center fielder Walker.

After McCloud’s go-ahead double in the eighth, the Texans’ bullpen sealed the win. Karsen Davis, Jack Lovin and Tai Phetluangsy combined for 3 1/3 innings of scoreless, hitless relief. Davis earned the win, while Phetluangsy recorded the save.

McCloud finished 3 for 6 with three RBIs and three runs scored. Heinrich also went 3 for 6 with two RBIs, and Lorch added two RBIs on two hits, including a pair of doubles.

For New Mexico, Walker was 3 for 5 with two RBIs, and Carris drove in two runs. Starter Cristian Mogen allowed three earned runs over 5 2/3 innings but did not factor in the decision. Garcia’s three-run homer provided the Lobos’ biggest hit.

The two teams combined for 20 sacrifice plays, including four sacrifice flies and four sacrifice bunts. Tarleton State out-hit New Mexico 20 to 13.

The teams are scheduled for a doubleheader on Saturday to continue the series.