How It Happened
Rhode Island rebounded from a Game One loss to throttle Tarleton State in the nightcap to earn a split of two games Friday night. After the host Texans (19-13) won the opener 11-1 in five innings, Rhody (5-9) returned the favor by winning Game Two 13-1, also in five innings. A 15-hit attack and a dominant outing by pitcher Avery Vale-Cruz paved the way for the victory.

Game 1 Starters
Rhode Island
Snyder (RF); Fairbanks (LF); Bulinski (C); Zawistowski (DP); Torres (SS); Herandez (CF); Knarr (1B); Frickleton (3B); Miller (2B); Gerry (P)

Tarleton State
Wilson (RF); Debose (CF); Fox (C); Duke (LF); C. Schultz (DP); Runyan (SS); Bojkovic (1B); Panill (3B); Wittram (2B); S. Schultz (P)

Game 1 - Tarleton State 11, Rhode Island 1 (5 inn.)
An eight-run outburst by Tarleton State brought the first game to an early end.

The Texans had five hits and five walks during the bottom of the fourth inning. Four of the five batters who walked eventually scored during the inning, as the hosts turned a 3-1 game into a commanding 11-1 lead. Casey Schultz delivered the big blow in the rally, a long grand slam to left center.

Shelby Schultz (6-3) handled the rest for Tarleton State. While she allowed a solo home run to Kylie Bulinski, she scattered four other hits and struck out seven batters while pitching all five innings for the win.

Game 2 Starters
Rhode Island
Snyder (RF); Orndorff (LF); Bulinski (DP); Zawistowski (1B); Maleitzke (C); Herandez (CF); Torres (SS); Frickleton (3B); Scurci (2B); Vale-Cruz (P)

Tarleton State
Wilson (LF); Debose (CF); Fox (C); Duke (P); C. Schultz (DP); Runyan (SS); Bojkovic (1B); Brunner (3B); Wittram (2B); Budisalovich (RF)

Game 2 - Rhode Island 13, Tarleton State 1 (5 inn.)
Rhode Island at least once in every inning and five different players had multi-hit games as the Rams rolled in the second game. Kylie Bulinski homered and drove in four runs to lead the offense, while Sydney Orndorff delivered three hits, two RBI and two runs scored.

Armed with plenty of run support, Avery Vale-Cruz (3-2) went the distance for the victory. She fanned eight batters while allowing just four hits.

Inside the Box Scores

• The 13 runs and 15 hits in the second game were both season highs for Rhode Island.
• It was the first time the Rams won via the eight-run mercy rule since an 11-2 win over St. Bonaventure on March 24, 2024, covering a span of 91 games.
• Kylie Bulinski had a massive day, reaching in each of her first six plate appearances. She homered once in each game, singled twice and walked twice.
• She also scored three times and had five runs batted in.
• Over her last three games, Bulinski has reached base safely in 11 straight plate appearances.
• Sydney Orndorff doubled, singled twice, walked, scored once and drove in two runs in the second game.
• Julianne Torres singled three times on the day. She also walked, scored twice and had a sacrifice fly in the second game.
• Hannah Hernandez had four singles, scored one run and a stolen base on the day.
• Natalie Maleitzke doubled, singled, walked, scored once and drove in two runs in the second game.
• Riley Frickleton doubled, singled, walked and scored two runs in the second game.
• Sophie Scurci made her first career start at second base in Game Two. She walked, scored once and had three RBI.

Up Next
Rhode Island and Tarleton State play a doubleheader Saturday. The first game begins at 1 p.m. EST. Both games will stream on ESPN+.