Texas Baseball, ranked No. 2, stumbled at home Tuesday night, dropping a 6-1 decision to Tarleton State at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
Carson Tinney got the Longhorns (18-2) on the board early with a solo homer in the first, but Tarleton State (13-7) responded with a four-spot in the fourth to seize control and secure the highest-ranked victory in program history. The Texans evened the score on a run-scoring knock from Cage McCloud, then grabbed a 2-1 lead when Brady Englett worked a bases-loaded walk. Ike Shirey followed two hitters later with a two-run single that stretched the margin to 4-1.
Tarleton padded its cushion with single runs in the seventh and ninth innings. On the mound, the Texans leaned on five arms to limit Texas to just two hits, with the staff collectively punching out 12 Longhorns. Reliever Ethan Jaques (3-0) picked up the win, spinning three hitless frames in relief of opener Brendon Carter and fanning four of the 10 hitters he faced.
Texas now turns the page to a road showdown with No. 5 Auburn at Plainsman Park, where a three-game series is slated to begin Friday at 6 p.m. CT.
