STEPHENVILLE, Texas (Interstat) — In a dramatic reversal of fortune from the previous night’s blowout, the Tarleton State Texans edged the Le Moyne Dolphins 5-4 on Saturday evening at Tarleton Baseball Complex, securing the series victory with a late unearned run.

Twenty-four hours after a 20-3 rout, the Dolphins (0-2) controlled the early action, building a 4-0 lead through three innings against Tarleton State starter Ashton Bassett. Le Moyne struck in the first when Jason Cannon’s fielder’s choice grounder scored Ben Whelehan. They added two more in the third on an RBI single by AJ Sullivan and a sacrifice fly from Derek Diaz, capitalizing on aggressive baserunning and timely hits.

The Texans (2-0), however, erupted in the bottom of the third against Le Moyne starter Eric Swiencicki, transforming the game with one swing. The inning was extended by a crucial Le Moyne error in left field, which allowed Trace McCloud to reach and later score on Cole Lorch’s RBI single. After two walks loaded the bases, shortstop Ike Shirey cleared them with a towering triple to left-center field, tying the game 4-4. All four Tarleton State runs in the frame were unearned.

From there, the game evolved into a tense bullpen duel. Le Moyne reliever Matt Earle and Tarleton State’s Ethan Jaques traded zeros, with the Texans’ defense turning two double plays to stifle threats.

The decisive breakthrough came in the bottom of the sixth. With Earle still on the mound, Tarleton State loaded the bases with no outs via a hit batter and an error. Earle nearly escaped, striking out Brady Englett, but a second error by the Le Moyne shortstop on a grounder by Sergio Guerra allowed pinch-runner Kellen Johnson to score the go-ahead run.

The Texans’ bullpen quartet of Jaques, Aden Lucas, Ashton Bassett and Kollin Phetluangsy sealed the win. Over the final six innings, they held Le Moyne to just three hits and one walk while striking out seven. Jaques earned the win with three scoreless innings of relief.

Despite out-hitting Tarleton State 9-4, Le Moyne stranded multiple runners and could not overcome three fielding errors that led directly to all five Texans runs being unearned. Whelehan led the Dolphins with three hits.

The victory, coming against a 68.10 percent win probability according to Interstat’s ELO system, gives Tarleton State a 2-0 start. The teams conclude the three-game series on Sunday. Le Moyne continues its challenging opening road trip next weekend at James Madison, while Tarleton State hosts Arkansas in a neutral-site game Monday in Arlington.