The Tarleton State baseball Team kicked off its season on Feb. 18, 2022. The Texans are currently 10-21 on the season, with a conference record of 6-9. The 2022 season will be the second year we have competed at the Division 1 level. Although Tarleton athletics is still adjusting to this level of play, the Texans have not gone down without a fight. 

The home opener for Tarleton baseball began on Feb. 18 against The University of Texas-San Antonio, with the third game played on that Sunday afternoon. The Texans finished this series with a seven-inning run-rule over the Roadrunners, with a final score of 12-1. Tarleton scored eight runs in the first inning of their face-off against UTSA. In the first inning, the Texans made it all the way through their batting lineup with runs produced by various Texans. Alec Williams ran home on a throwing error by the roadrunners, a couple of Texans hit doubles, and Mason Crews launched a home run over the left-field fence to bring in two runs. The Texans scored one run over each of the next few innings, and ultimately UTSA was unable to fill the gap. 

Following their series against UTSA, Tarleton had a five-game homestand. They played one game against The University of Incarnate Word, three games against Eastern Illinois, and then one game against Washington State. 

The Texans beat UIW in a pitching duel that had a final score of 1-0. Kyler Mentzel, Isiah Campo, and Matthew Hickey all pitched and contributed to the essential shutout of the Cardinals. Campo made his first appearance of the season for Tarleton. The transfer from New Mexico pitched six scoreless innings with only one hit and struck out six cardinals. Freshman pitcher, Mentzel, made his second start of the 2022 season, he also did a fantastic job on the mound. He played two innings with zero runs allowed and three hits. The final out of the game was made by catcher Mason Crews, a redshirt sophomore who gunned down a runner attempting to steal second. 

The Texans then moved on to their series against Eastern Illinois with a double-header on Feb. 27, and the final game on Feb. 28. Tarleton lost that series two games to one. Just two days later on Mar. 2, the Texans played Washington State University and lost a close game 9-8. 

Following their homestand, the Texans traveled for seven games straight. On Mar. 18 the Texans returned home for a three-game series against The University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley. They swept the Vaqueros and finished out the series with an eight-inning run-rule, 13-3. Bryce Hackett started the game and had his best mound appearance of the season. He pitched five innings and held his own with two runs, one of which was earned, six hits, and four strikeouts. Cody Vannoy hit his first home run of the season, which just so happened to be a grand slam in the bottom of the seventh inning. The game was concluded by Dylan Kurahashi-Choy Foo hitting a two-run homer to end the game in a run rule. 

Tarleton then made the trek to Abilene, Texas to play a series against Abilene Christian University on Mar. 25. The Texans won two of the three games over the Wildcats. Zach Poe was the winning pitcher in game one, which ended with a final score of 9-7, a Tarleton win. Carter Dobrinski and Jaime Perez each hit doubles, Corey Young hit a home run and led the team in RBIs in the game with three.  Game two ended with a final score of 12-6, and another Texan win. The winning pitcher was Landon Cody. Alec Williams led the game in RBIs with three total. 

The Texans’ most recent win occurred on Sunday, Apr. 10 in game three against Lamar. Tarleton run-ruled the Cardinals 12-2 in eight innings. Bryce Hackett pitched the full eight innings for his career-high. Hackett only allowed two runs, gave up no walks, and had four strikeouts which earned him his second win of the season. Senior London Green led the Texans at the plate with two home runs, one hit from the left side and one hit from the right. The Texans will have a six-game homestand for two series; one against Abilene Christian and another against Stephen F. Austin. It is hopeful the Texans will continue to grow their program and continue to compete against tough Division I teams.