WEATHERFORD, Okla. — No. 16 Henderson State struck early Friday afternoon on the road, but was unable to score again, as Southwestern Oklahoma State slowed the Reddies and won the opening game of the weekend series, 6-2.

The Reddies (19-7, 11-5) were held to six hits in the game, including just four in the final eight innings of play. Six different players each had a hit for HSU in defeat, including Cade Tucker, who also walked twice and drove in a run.

SWOSU got to Henderson starter Spencer Taack in the first game of the weekend series and handed the Reddies' ace his first loss of the season on the mound. Taack, who walked four batters and struck out two, was tagged for six runs on eight hits in four innings of work. It was the first time this spring he did not get through at least five frames.

HSU got a double from Kaden Argenbright and an RBI single from Tucker on its first two at-bats of the game, but it was the last time the Reddies had two hits in an inning. After going in front 2-0, Henderson saw the Bulldogs strike for two in the bottom half of the first, a go-ahead run in the third, and two more in the fifth to take a 6-2 advantage. 

The Reddies had their best chance to rally in the seventh, when two walks and a double loaded the bases, but they could not find the big hit and left them loaded. Henderson got at least one runner on base in all nine innings Friday.

Brayden Bebee was a bright spot out of the bullpen for HSU and pitched a scoreless four innings in relief of Taack. He did not allow a hit and struck out five SWOSU hitters.

Henderson will look to bounce back tomorrow when they face the Bulldogs again in a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.