THE RUNDOWN
WICHITA FALLS – The MSU Texas softball team was unable to maintain an early lead in an 8-4 loss to No. 17-ranked Tarleton State on Sunday at Mustangs Park. Midwestern State finishes the season 15-23 overall and 9-21 in Lone Star Conference play.
 
Seniors Amanda Thomas, Gracie Bogle, Taylor Brintzenhoff, Tayler Jerrick and Kelcee Thompson donned the Maroon and Gold for the final time, wrapping up their illustrious playing careers for the Mustangs.
 
Offensively, junior Samantha Loos led the way with a two-run home run while junior Carli Woolsey and freshman Caycee Griffin each went 2-for-3. Junior Tucker Caraway (2-5) was saddled with the loss, allowing six runs on nine hits with five walks and a strikeout over five frames.
 
Making the final home start of her career, Jerrick tossed a strong first inning in her first action this season. The Anaheim, Calif., native gave up a bases-loaded two-run single to Karli Herron in the top of the first, staking the TexAnns to a 2-0 lead.
 
Facing one of the LSC's top-pitchers in Jordan Withrow, the Mustangs answered with a three-spot in the bottom of the first to claim their first lead of the series. Caraway legged out an infield single to begin the frame before scoring on Thomas's two out double to left. Loos followed with her team-leading eighth home run, a two-run blast to left giving MSU a 3-2 lead.
 
With runners on second and third in the top of the third, Caraway yielded back-to-back four-pitch walks to Elizabeth Svienty and Maddie Quintanar to tie the game. The Whitewright native escaped further damage, inducing an infield popup to Georgia Capell to end the threat.
 
Sophomore outfielder Lauren Lindgren promptly gave MSU the lead back in the bottom of the inning. The Denton product launched her second long ball in as many games on a solo job to center.
 
The TexAnns answered with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth to take the lead for good. Following a one out walk, Megan Durante doubled to center to put a pair in scoring position. Tanna Huie collected a pair of RBI with a double of her own into the left-center alley, giving TSU a 5-4 advantage.
 
Much like the first two games of the series, TSU tacked on insurance runs via the long ball late in the contest. Huie led off the top of the sixth with a dinger to center before Amanda Conner hit a pinch-hit, two-run long ball to left, stretching the lead to 8-4.
 
NOTES
- Midwestern State finishes the 2018 season with a 15-23 overall record, going 9-21 in Lone Star Conference play. The Mustangs went 1-14 at Mustangs Park.
- Senior catcher Amanda Thomas edged out sophomore outfielder Kelsey Eropkin for the team's batting title. The Marble Falls native hit .327 on the year, beating Eropkin's .326 average by .001.
- Thomas led the team with 26 RBI while junior first baseman Samantha Loos logged eight home runs.
- Defensively, sophomore outfielder Lauren Lindgren completed a perfect season in center field. The Denton native was a perfect 68-for-68 in fielding opportunities for a 1.000 fielding percentage.
- In the circle, junior Abbie Lancaster broke MSU's single season record with five saves, while leading the team with a 5-7 record and 3.95 ERA.