Boiling Springs, N.C. – The Youngstown State softball team jumped out to an early lead, fell behind, and fought back to tie the game late, but dropped a 7-6 decision to Tarleton State on Sunday morning.

Senior Kennedy Dean, junior Tai Turner and sophomore Bella Meyer posted two hits each and senior Emma Gilkerson cranked a two-run home run for the Penguins, who fall to 2-3 on the season.

Gilkerson blasted a two-run home run, her second homer of the year, in the top of the first inning to put the Penguins ahead 2-0.

The Texans cut the lead in half with a run in the bottom half of the first, but the Penguins quickly answered with a run in the top of the second. Dean led off the frame with a single up the middle, move to third after two ground outs, and scored on Meyer's single to right field.

Tarleton State took a 6-3 lead after scoring three runs in the bottom of the second and two more in the bottom of the third.

Youngstown State clawed back with two runs in the fourth and tied the game with a run in the top of the sixth. Meyer ripped a two-out double to left-center to plate Turner and Lydia Wilkerson's infield single scored Bree Kohler, who walked, to trim the lead to 6-5 the fourth.

Turner's single through the left side scored Leila Staszak, who reached on an error, with the game-tying run in the top of the sixth.

The Texans, though, reclaimed the lead with a run in the bottom of the sixth and retired the Penguins in order in the top of the seventh.

Youngstown State plays four games at the USC Upstate Wings Etc. Classic, Feb. 13-14, and will take on West Georgia on Friday at 11 a.m.