ST. GEORGE, Utah (Interstat) — Tarleton State defeated Utah Tech 9-6 on Friday, May 1, at Burns Arena in a Western Athletic Conference matchup, improving to 29-16 while the Trailblazers fell to 27-16.

The Texans jumped ahead in the first inning when right fielder Jake Tatom homered to right center for a 1-0 lead. Tarleton State added two more runs in the fifth inning on a two-run single by catcher Sergio Guerra, pushing the advantage to 3-0. Meanwhile, Tarleton State starter Matthew McCullough kept Utah Tech hitless through his outing, pitching 4 2/3 innings and allowing one earned run on no hits with three strikeouts. The Trailblazers scored their first run in the bottom of the fifth on a single by Ma. Madsen.

The game’s decisive moment came in the top of the eighth inning, when Tarleton State broke the game open with five runs. With the score 4-3, the Texans loaded the bases on a walk and a hit by pitch. Tatom singled to center field, driving in one run, and then an RBI groundout by R. Heinrich and another groundout by S. McCloud each brought home additional runs. First baseman Cage McCloud capped the rally with a two-run homer to right field, extending the lead to 9-3.

Utah Tech mounted a comeback in the bottom of the eighth, scoring three runs on a pair of RBI singles by K. McDaniel and P. Soto Jr., and a fielder’s choice by Ma. Madsen that made it 9-6. But Tai Phetluangsy entered in relief and retired the final two batters of the inning. In the bottom of the ninth, the Trailblazers put two runners on base, but a double play ended the threat.

Tatom finished 5 for 6 with a home run and two RBIs. Guerra went 2 for 5 with three RBIs. McCloud was 1 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs. For Utah Tech, second baseman Kyle McDaniel went 2 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs.

McCullough, who entered with a 4-1 record and a 4.35 ERA, turned in his second straight strong start after a quality outing against Utah Valley on April 24. The Tarleton State bullpen combination of Karsen Davis, who allowed two earned runs in 2 1/3 innings, and Phetluangsy held Utah Tech to three hits over the final four innings.

Utah Tech starter Tyler Ray pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing four hits and three earned runs with five strikeouts. Reliever Aaron Morris threw one scoreless inning.

The two teams meet again Saturday for the second game of the three-game series. Tarleton State returns home next weekend to host Texas-Rio Grande Valley, while Utah Tech travels to Texas-Arlington.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Utah Tech 7, Tarleton State 6. The Interstat ELO system gave Tarleton State a 57.70 percent probability to win.