Rally Falls Short as Bears Drop Finale

Sunday, February 25

Stephenville, Texas

11 a.m.

University of Northern Colorado

Tarleton State

2/25/2024 5:58:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Postgame Notes - Final Box Score

By: Michael High, Assistant Director for Strategic Communications

TSU 7, UNC 6
Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024
Stephenville, Texas – Tarleton Baseball Complex

WP - Zach Poe (1-0)
LP - Dylan Smith (0-2)
SV - Tanner Carter (1)

STEPHENVILLE, Texas – Brandon Stricklin recorded his first collegiate home run in Northern Colorado's loss in the series finale against Tarleton State at Tarleton Baseball Complex Sunday.

Trailing 7-4 with three outs remaining, the Bears loaded the bases with one out. Caden Wagner reached after hit-by-pitch on the first pitch he saw. Craig Kenny and James Wright worked back-to-back five-pitch walks to fill the bags.

The Bears moved from station to station on a line drive to right, trimming the margin to two. Zain Zinicola -reached on a fielder's choice and Kenny crossed the plate and closed the gap to 7-6. Carson Gross smashed a hard grounder between the defender and first-base bag but the defender made the stop and beat Gross to the bag, securing the victory for the Texans.

Wright put UNC in front in the fourth with his first home run of the season, a two-run blast, scoring Kenny, who led off the frame with an infield single.

Knotted at 2-2 in the sixth, Stricklin gave the Bears their first advantage of the game, with a two-run bomb. Zinicola started the two-out rally with a single into center field, before Stricklin drove the 0-2 pitch over the right-field wall.

Tarleton State built a three-run advantage with two in the seventh and three in its last at-bat, setting up the ninth.

Up Next
UNC heads to New Mexico State for a four-game wrap-around series with the Aggies, beginning at 6 p.m. Friday. Saturday and Sunday start at 2 p.m., with an 11 a.m. series finale Monday.

Next Home Game
The Bears open the 2024 home slate against St. Thomas in Summit League action Friday, March 15 – Sunday, March 17.