TXST BASEBALL
It was another chaotic mid-week game for the Bobcats as Texas State fell to the rival UTSA Roadrunners 18-13 in one of the highest scoring games in the history of the rivalry.
The loss drops the Bobcats overall record to 2124.
“Crazy game [in the] first three innings [with a lot of runs scored,” Trout said. ”We just have to find some guys that have the guts to go get outs. That’s where it comes out to, guys having the guts to make a pitch, get a guy out, no matter what the wind’s doing and no matter who’s in the box. You have to find a way to execute a pitch and get outs.”
The Bobcats struck first in the bottom of the first. After a single from Ryne Farber combined with a UTSA fielding error to put runners on second and third, senior Austin Munguia hit a groundout to the third baseman, allowing Farber to score.
At the end of the first inning, Texas State led 1-0.
The lead didn’t last long however. After a one-out single, the Roadrunners hit a two-run home run into right field to take the lead at 2-1.
Still in the first inning, UTSA added on to their lead with an RBI single in center field to go up 3-1.
The Bobcats answered back in the bottom of the second. Leading off the inning, senior catcher Ian Collier connected with a home run into left-center field. Following Collier, sophomore outfielder Samson Pugh tied the game at 4-4 with a solo home run of his own. Freshman outfielder Zachary Gingrich continued the home run barrage, hitting a solo homer in right field as the Bobcats took the lead at 4-3.
Later in the inning, Texas State put runners on first and second with two outs. Munguia hit an RBI single up the middle as Farber beat the throw home, making it a 5-3 game. Coming up to bat still facing runners on first and second with two outs, freshman second baseman Dawson Park smashed a three-run home run in left field, extending the lead to 8-3.
UTSA answered back in the top of the third. The Roadrunners hit back to back home runs to start the at-bat, cutting the Bobcat lead to 8-5.
UTSA later scored two more runs on back to back RBI singles, making it a one-run game at 8-7. After tying the game on an RBI single, UTSA took the lead on an RBI double to go up 9-8. The Roadrunners later extended the lead on an RBI single combined with a Bobcat fielding error to score two more runs.
UTSA then scored another run on the sacrifice fly to lead 12-8 before scoring again on a bases loaded hit by pitch before the Bobcats got out of the inning.
“Somebody’s just has to find a way to stop the momentum and make a pitch,” Trout said. “We’ll go back, watch the film and see where the pitches are. But yeah, it’s pretty frustrating.”
In their next at-bat, the Bobcats cut into the deficit. With runners on first and second with outs, Mora hit an RBI single, making it a 13-9 game. DeFury kept the offense going with an RBI single before Mora scored on a wild pitch. Munguia added the final run of the inning with an RBI single as the UTSA lead was cut down to 13-12.
After an explosive first three innings, both the Bobcats and the Roadrunners were held scoreless through the next three innings.
The Roadrunners added on to their lead in the top of the seventh inning. Facing two outs, UTSA connected with a two-run RBI double before scoring again on an RBI single to lead 16-12.
The Bobcats cut into the lead in the bottom of the seventh inning. Farber scored a run for Texas State, hitting a sacrifice fly to make it a 16-13 game.
UTSA added two runs in the top of the ninth after the Bobcats walked in two runs to extend their lead to 18-13.
The Bobcats attempted to make their comeback in the bottom of the ninth but to no avail as the Roadrunners came away with the win.
Texas State is back this weekend for a three-game conference series against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks.
The Warhawks are coming off a series loss to Old Dominion last weekend and a 8-3 loss to the Northwestern State Demons on Tuesday.
The series is also critical for the Bobcats who are currently in danger of missing the conference tournament for the second straight season, being in a three-way tie for ninth place.
First pitch is set for 6 p.m. Friday at Bobcat Ballpark.
cmcwilliams @sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc
