The Tarleton State University TexAnn Softball team, coming off a record of 4-2 in their previous tournament in the West Texas A&M Classic in Canyon, Texas and an overall record of 7-6, were looking to launch themselves in the regular season with a win against the St. Mary’s University Rattlers in their double header.

With clear and sunny weather conditions in Stephenville, the games were able to go on as scheduled, unlike the last series hosted by the TexAnns, in which the last two games were cancelled due to inclement weather.

In the first game of the TexAnns’ double header, the TexAnns were off to a good start with a homerun from Sophomore Melody Mayse, causing Freshman Miranda West and Senior Kelsey Latta to score for the TexAnns. At the bottom of the third inning, the TexAnns led the Rattlers 3-0.

However, the Rattlers had an answer to the three runs scored by the TexAnns in the third inning, and began to dominate the play of the game. The Rattlers then began to score 14 unanswered runs against the TexAnns in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings. A late run in the sixth inning by Freshman Erika Menchaca wasn’t enough for the TexAnns to get over the Rattlers and the TexAnns fell, 4-14.

In the second game of the double header, the TexAnns were looking to redeem themselves and even out the two game series against the Rattlers. The Rattlers however, had a different idea and were looking to sweep the TexAnns at home. With a game dominated by the Rattlers and two critical errors by the TexAnns, Tarleton fell to St. Mary’s in a shutout loss at home, 0-7, and were swept in the series, 0-2.

The TexAnns next travel to San Antonio, Texas for the St. Mary’s Tournament on Friday Feb. 21 for a three day tournament.