ST. GEORGE, Utah (Interstat) — Rayner Heinrich homered and drove in three runs as Tarleton State defeated Utah Tech 10-8 on Sunday to complete a three-game Western Athletic Conference sweep at Burns Arena.

The Texans, who won the first two games of the series by scores of 8-4 and 9-6, improved to 31-16 overall and 19-8 in conference play. The Trailblazers fell to 27-18 and 14-13.

Heinrich, a center fielder who moved to left field in the fifth inning, went 3 for 5 with a solo home run in the eighth and a run-scoring single in the third. He also stole a base and scored twice. Chris Ricard, the designated hitter, was 2 for 4 with a three-run homer in the fifth that broke open a tie game. Jake Tatom went 3 for 3 with a walk, an RBI and two runs scored, and Ike Shirey drove in two runs.

For Utah Tech, right fielder Hudson Manwaring went 3 for 4 with two RBIs and a double. Pitcher Talan Kelly threw a scoreless inning of relief, allowing one hit.

Tarleton State struck first in the top of the third. With the game scoreless, Ryan Smeenk doubled and Tatom singled, and Smeenk scored on a groundout by Seth McCloud. Tatom moved to third on a balk and scored on Heinrich’s single to left. The Texans led 2-0.

Utah Tech answered in the bottom of the third. After a walk and a hit batter, a sacrifice bunt by Tyler Johnsen loaded the bases. Freddy Stewart singled through the left side, scoring two runs and moving Johnsen to second, but Johnsen was thrown out trying to advance. Manwaring then doubled to right center to drive in Stewart, trimming the deficit to 3-2.

The Trailblazers took the lead in the fourth. After two hit batters and a walk, Raymundo Kroepel singled through the right side to drive in two runs, putting Utah Tech up 5-3. Tarleton State brought in reliever Conner Doucet, who escaped further damage with a double play.

Tarleton State regained control in the top of the fifth. McCloud C. was hit by a pitch, and Steven Guerra singled, with McCloud advancing to third on a throwing error. After a walk to Bryce Englett loaded the bases, Shirey singled through the right side to drive in two runs, tying the game at 5. Ricard then launched a three-run homer to left center, giving the Texans an 8-5 lead. The inning ended with Tarleton State up 10-5 after a double by Smeenk and a walk to Tatom.

Utah Tech chipped away in the bottom of the fifth. Manwaring singled, advanced to second on a throwing error and scored on a single by Pablo Soto Jr., making it 10-6. The Trailblazers added another unearned run in the sixth. Johnsen reached on a throwing error and scored on Manwaring’s single to left center.

Tarleton State extended the lead in the eighth. Tatom singled and Heinrich followed with a two-run homer to left, restoring a five-run advantage at 10-7.

In the bottom of the ninth, Utah Tech mounted a final threat. Talan Kelly singled, and after a flyout, K. McDaniel was hit by a pitch. A fielder’s choice put runners at the corners, and Kroepel singled to load the bases. Johnsen singled to right to drive in McDaniel, pulling the Trailblazers within 10-8. But Freddy Stewart struck out swinging to end the game.

Tarleton State used a combination of eight pitchers. Starter Brendon Carter threw a scoreless first, and Karsen Davis earned the win with two scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth, allowing no hits and striking out one. Tai Phetluangsy and Conner Doucet each threw a scoreless inning.

Tarleton State outhit Utah Tech 17-12. The Texans head home to face Texas-Rio Grande Valley next weekend, while Utah Tech travels to Texas-Arlington.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Utah Tech 7, Tarleton State 6. Interstat’s ELO system had given Tarleton State a 59.40 percent probability to win.