WICHITA FALLS, Texas – After dropping a 4-0 decision to Tarleton State in the series opener, Midwestern State posted an eight-run fifth inning to rally to an 8-5 victory and earn the split over the TexAnns Friday evening at Mustangs Park.

Despite allowing seven walks in game one, pitcher Haley Freyman limited the Mustangs to just three hits to earn the shutout win while center fielder Melody Mayse recorded two hits and two RBI for Tarleton State (15-14, 2-8 LSC).

Mayse scored Tarleton's first run of the game in the top of the first, reaching on a bunt single before moving around to third on a steal and sac bunt. A Nyka Wood single up the middle plated Mayse for the eventual game-winning run.

The TexAnns added three more runs in the fourth inning with Mayse driving in two runs on a single through the left side before a groundout to second plated the fourth run for Tarleton.

Midwestern State (19-17, 5-9 LSC) stranded eight runners for the game including two apiece in the sixth and seventh innings. Redshirt freshman Peyton Helton (4-8) suffered the loss, allowing nine hits and three earned runs while fanning a pair of batters.

The Mustangs totaled eight runs in the bottom half of the fifth inning after Tarleton State had just increased its lead to 3-0. Taylor Mordecai led off the inning with a double to center field before Amanda Thomas singled and Haley Howerton walked to load the bases with one out.

A pair of walks for Taylor Bermudes and Katelyn Vinson plated the first runs for Midwestern. After a pitching change for the TexAnns, singles for Erin Knox and Baylee Voigt added to the MSU lead. Makenzi Harris stretched the Mustangs advantage to 6-3 with a double to center field before Thomas recorded her second single of the inning to right center to cap off the inning with two more runs.

Tarleton cut the lead to 8-5 in the seventh with a two-run blast down the right field line for Delaney Wayland. The TexAnns recorded a pair of one-out singles following Wayland's homer but were unable to cut into the MSU lead any further with the Mustangs outfield making the final two outs to earn the split.

Thomas led the Mustangs at the plate with 2-for-3 outing and two RBI. Knox threw a complete game, allowing 11 hits, five earned runs and one walk while striking out three to move to 7-2 on the season.

Midwestern State returns to action tomorrow at 2 p.m. with a doubleheader against Tarleton State at Mustangs Park to close out the series.