WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- Freshman pitcher Katlyn Holmes retired all 15 batters she faced as Midwestern State rolled to a 12-0 run-rule win over Tarleton State in Game 2 Friday night at Mustangs Park.
 
The Mustangs improved to 27-21 on the season and leaped into a tie for fourth place in the Lone Star Conference race with Cameron at 15-11. The Mustangs can claim fourth outright with a win over Tarleton State in the series finale Saturday at noon and if Texas Woman's defeats the Aggies in Lawton.
 
Holmes (10-10) joined former standout Katie Petersen (three perfect games) and Kat Batey (1) as the only pitchers to hurl perfect games for the Mustangs as she weaved the fifth perfecto in program  history. It was her team-best third shutout of the season.
 
She benefitted from a pair of spectacular plays in the field as junior third baseman Kelley Schaefer flagged a hot liner from Amber Clifford for the second out in the second inning, then junior shortstop Katy Vandewater ranged up the middle to rob Kelsey Latta of a hit in the fourth inning.
 
Holmes fanned just one batter when she got Tarleton State's top hitter Katelyn Conlee to swing and miss on a 3-2 offering to end the fourth inning.
 
The Mustangs also gave the Gunter product a healthy dose of run support.
 
MSU jumped on TexAnns starter Brenna Hennan from the word go. Senior catcher Kim Jerrick drew a leadoff walk and stole second, then Haley Howerton reached on a bunt single and stole second as well.
 
Katelyn Vinson followed with a single up the middle to plate Jerrick before Kelley Schaefer drew a walk to set up Shelby Carter's three-run bomb to center field to give the Mustangs a 5-0 lead.
 
The blast quickly ended the night for Hennan, who dropped to 10-13 on the season allowed five earned runs on three hits with two walks without retiring a batter.
 
The Mustangs continued to pour on the offense in the second keyed by Jerrick's solo shot to lead off the frame while Katy Vandewater capped the inning with a three-run double to the left field gap to push the advantage to 9-0.
 
MSU tacked on three more runs in the third inning keyed by Schaefer's two-run double to the right-field gap.
 
Howerton paced MSU's 10-hit attack by going 3-for-3 with three runs scored, while Vinson and Vandewater chipped in two safeties apiece.
 
Tarleton State dipped to 20-28 and 10-16.