PREVIEW: Tarleton State hosts Texas-Rio Grande Valley in series finale

STEPHENVILLE, Texas (Interstat) — Tarleton State looks to complete a three-game sweep of Texas-Rio Grande Valley in a nonconference baseball matchup Sunday evening at Tarleton Baseball Complex.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. under clear skies with temperatures expected at 81 degrees.

The Texans (33-16) have won the first two games of the series, taking a 7-4 decision Friday and an 10-8 victory Saturday. Tarleton State sits atop the Western Athletic Conference standings and has won seven of its last eight games overall.

The Vaqueros (24-27) dropped to .500 in conference play with Saturday’s loss and are fighting to stay above that mark in the final stretch of the regular season.

Players to watch

Texas-Rio Grande Valley right-hander JC Gutierrez has been outstanding in recent relief appearances. Over his last five outings (Interstat) — spanning 12⅔ innings (Interstat) — he has allowed one earned run while striking out 14. In Saturday’s loss, he tossed two scoreless innings with four strikeouts, continuing a stretch that has seen him hold opponents hitless in four of his last five appearances.

Tarleton State left fielder Rayner Heinrich enters the series finale on a tear. Over his last nine games, Heinrich is batting .367 (11-for-30) with four home runs and 18 RBIs. He drove in four runs Saturday with a home run and has recorded an RBI in seven of his last eight contests.

Game notes

The teams are playing their third game in as many days after rain earlier in the week pushed the series to a Sunday finish. The Interstat game simulator projects a 7-6 Tarleton State victory.

Tarleton State will travel to Sacramento State for a three-game series beginning Thursday. Texas-Rio Grande Valley returns home to face Abilene Christian in midweek action.