Bobcats win series with run-rule victory over Georgia Southern

Texas State run-ruled Georgia Southern, 14-4, in seven innings in its series finale at J.I. Clemens Stadium on Sunday.

The Bobcats used a combined 11 runs in the third and fourth innings, and a strong outing from senior pitcher Connor Reich to down the Eagles.

Georgia Southern (20-16, 8-7 Sun Belt) took a 2-0 early lead over Texas State (23-13, 9-6) when an RBI triple from redshirt senior left fielder Tyler Martin brought home the first run of the game and junior right fielder Mason McWhorter extended the Eagle advantage with an RBI double. 

The Bobcats took a 4-2 lead when sophomore right fielder John Wuthrich hit a two-run RBI double followed by an RBI groundout by redshirt senior left fielder Travon Benton and an RBI single from sophomore shortstop Dalton Shuffield. 

Texas State kept the momentum rolling in the fourth. Senior catcher Felipe Rodriguez led off the inning with a solo homer. Senior third baseman Jaylen Hubbard followed with a solo homer of his own to give the Bobcats a 6-2 advantage. 

A wild pitch brought home Texas State’s seventh run of the game. Redshirt senior center fielder Skyler Valentine hit an RBI groundout to push the Bobcat lead to 8-2. Shuffield, Rodriguez and Hubbard all hit RBI singles in the fourth to hand them a commanding 11-2 advantage. 

Both teams scored a run in the sixth. Texas State secured the win with two runs in the seventh inning and kept Georgia Southern from getting the score to under 10 runs. 

Sunday’s victory marked the second run-rule win of the season during Sun Belt play. The win also secured the series for the Bobcats. 

Reich earned the win with eight strikeouts in 6.1 innings pitched. Eagle senior pitcher Daniel Collins was handed the loss after allowing four runs on five hits in 2.2 innings of work.  
 
Shuffield paced Texas State with a perfect 4-for-4 performance, including two RBIs and two runs scored. Hubbard and Rodriguez both recorded three hits each and both fell a triple away from hitting for the cycle. Wuthrich brought in a game-high three runs. 
 
Texas State returns to San Marcos to host a five-game homestand, beginning against Houston Baptist on Tuesday at 6 p.m. inside Bobcat Ballpark.