TXST BASEBALL
Texas State salvaged their series against No. 20 ranked Troy on Sunday, beating the Trojans 14-3 in seven innings for the run-rule victory.
The win improves the Bobcats’ overall record to 21-23 and their conference record to 9-12.
Going into Sunday’s game, Texas State looked to avoid the sweep after dropping Friday’s game 3-2 in extras, losing on a bases loaded hit by pitch, then losing on Saturday 9-4.
The Bobcats found themselves down early in the second inning. After Troy scored first on a RBI single, the Trojans added on to their lead with a two-run RBI double to go up 3-0 on the Bobcats.
However, it marked the last time the Trojans scored against the Bobcats.
Texas State began their comeback in the top of the third inning. Facing a runner on second, senior outfielder Alan Shibley hit a two-run home run over the wall in right field, cutting the Trojan lead down to 3-2. Later in the top of the fourth, senior catcher Ian Collier hit an RBI double, tying the game at 3-3.
In the top of the fifth inning, the Bobcat offense exploded.
After back to back walks from Shibley and freshman outfielder Zachary Gingrich, sophomore shortstop Ryne Farber crushed a threerun home run into right field, giving the Bobcats their first lead of the game at 6-3.
Following a walk from junior third baseman Chase Mora, junior first baseman Coy Defury smashed a two-run homer in right field, extending the Bobcat lead to 8-3.
Troy was able to convert two outs with a chance to get out of the inning and stop the bleeding only for the Bobcats to find their second wind.
The Bobcats loaded up the bases with two outs after a pair of walks from Collier and sophomore outfielder Samson Pugh before Gingrich was hit by the pitch.
In the next at-bat, Shibley was hit by the pitch to score another run for the Bobcats. Farber added on to the lead with an RBI single to put Texas State up 10-3.
After Troy swapped pitchers, Texas State broke the game open.
Coming up to bat with the bases loaded, Mora crushed another Bobcat home run, a grand slam over the wall in right center field and his second of the week.
Troy was unable to score any runs after the fifth inning, allowing Texas State to bring home the win at 14-3.
Junior pitcher Bryson Dudbley earned his fourth win of the season, throwing four innings, allowing just two hits, no earned runs, two walks and striking out four batters.
Texas State returns home Tuesday night for a showdown with the rival UTSA Roadrunners. The Roadrunners enter the showdown with a 3310 overall record and are coming off a three-game home sweep of the Memphis Tigers in conference play. In the last meeting between the Bobcats and the Roadrunners, UTSA defeated Texas State 12-9 after scoring 10 unanswered runs in the first five innings.
First pitch is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday night at Bobcat Ballpark.
cmcwilliams @sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc
