Texas State defeats Arkansas State in exciting local contest

The Texas State Bobcats (19-9, 5-4) have become accustomed to winning one-run ball games earning the 7-6 series clinching Sun Belt conference win over the Arkansas State Red Wolves Sunday afternoon at Bobcat Ballpark.

Despite only putting together four hits in the series finale, the Bobcats put together some timely hitting at the plate to build an early 5-0 lead in the first three innings before two insurance runs late in the game to seal the win.

“Anytime you win no matter how you chalk it up, you can go home happy, and that is what we did,” said Texas State Head Coach Steven Trout. “The key was they won every area of the baseball game, but we won the most important at the end of the game. Baseball is a weird sport.”

After a scoreless first inning, Texas State struck first with two runs in the bottom half of the second inning as junior Kameron Weil hit a sacrifice fly as freshman Chase Mora tagged up and scored the game’s first run. With two outs, senior Ben McClain connected on a two-out RBI single as junior Cade Manning came across for the second run to make the score 2-0 in favor of the Bobcats.

In the home half of the third, senior slugger Jose Gonzalez and sophomore Daylan Pena drew backto back walks to lead off the inning against Red Wolves starter Chase Armstrong as the Bobcats looked to take advantage of the free passes given up.

Manning stepped up into the box against the Arkansas State starter and got a favorable hitters count and was able to blast his sixth home run of the season over the fence in right center field for a three-run home run to give the Bobcats a 5-0 cushion.

“It was a 2-0 count and I was looking for a fastball inside, and he gave it to me,” Manning said of his long ball in the third inning. “It happened to be what I was looking for and it worked out well.

Bobcat junior starter Tony Robie (4-0), who was making his second start on the week earned the Sunday win, but got into a little bit of trouble in the fourth inning with two outs as he gave up a free pass to Jared Toler and then sophomore Redwolve Daedrick Cail got the Arkansas State on the board with a two-run shot to cut into the Texas State lead to 5-2.

Arkansas State was able to add two more runs to make it a 5-4 game in the fifth inning against junior lefty Rhett McCaffety before senior Nathan Medrano came in and gave the Bobcats 2.1 strong innings for his second appearance this weekend.

“It was a good team win today,” Medrano said. “We didn’t hit the ball very well today, but that doesn’t matter because we won where it matters the most. (Tony) Robie did a great job, Rhett (McCaffety), and so did I. We just have to get ahead and stay ahead, and we did that.”

In the sixth inning, Texas State was able to add one-run as Mora came across to score for the second time in the afternoon on a RBI ground out by sophomore Ryder Hernandez.

“I told the team that I am excited about this week because we just went 3-1 this week, and I don’t think we played very well all week long,” Trout said. “Anytime you can win three games and not play your best baseball, it is a sign of good things to come. When things are clicking; better hits at the plate, throw more strikes, and play better defense, this team can be very special.”

Arkansas State junior first baseman added a solo blast to make it a one-run game at 6-5 in the seventh inning off Medrano to keep the Red Wolves in arms-distance of getting their first series conference win of the year.

“It was a really good job by him because we took him out of the rotation this weekend and said we needed some more bullpen help,” Trout said of his senior reliever. “After a strong outing on Friday, he has the type of arm that can bounce back for today’s game and it was another nice quality relief game for him.

In the eighth inning the Bobcats’ freshman phenom, Mora, came up to bat and added a Texas State much needed insurance run with a no-doubter to right center for his team leading 10th homer of the season to make it 7-5.

“We were talking about making sure you get a heater in the middle of the plate and try to not do so much,” Trout said of his star freshman’s late bomb. “He is just amazing, the kid (Mora) has special talent. It was a real big swing for him, and a big swing for us.”

The Red Wolves’ Hager would add his second solo shot to draw the score to the eventual final of 7-6 as junior closer Jack Stroud earned his second save of the season for Texas State.

Manning led the Bobcats at the plate in the afternoon with two hits and three RBIs, and had two runs scored while Mora scored three runs for Texas State. The Bobcats pitching staff combined for 10 strikeouts led by Robie with four.

Trout and his Bobcats will be back in action tonight, Tuesday, with a road contest in College Station against the Texas A&M Aggies on SEC+ Network.

“I am excited for Peyton Zabel getting the start,” Trout said, who will be the TXST starter against the Aggies. “I am excited to see him get out there and compete. It will be nice to see all these guys out. It will be a fun environment as always there and see how we show up in the moment.”