MESA, Ariz. (Interstat) — Raphael Smeenk hit two home runs and drove in two runs to lead Tarleton State to a 5-3 victory over California Baptist on Friday afternoon at HoHoKam Park. The Texans improved to 36-19 overall, while the Lancers fell to 44-14.

Smeenk opened the scoring in the second inning with a solo homer to deep right field. After California Baptist answered in the top of the fourth, Sergio Guerra put Tarleton State ahead for good with a solo shot in the bottom half. Smeenk added another solo home run in the eighth inning.

Rayner Heinrich tripled and drove in a run in the third, and Carson Lorch doubled in a run during the same inning. Ethan Wendel earned the win with 5 2/3 innings of two-run ball, allowing six hits and striking out two. Anthony Treto pitched 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.

California Baptist got nine hits but left runners stranded. Luis Becerra struck out five in three scoreless innings. The Lancers had won three of four previous meetings this season.