TXST BASEBALL
Texas State avoided the sweep last weekend, defeating the Georgia Southern Eagles 4-1 to salvage the series and keep themselves alive for a top six seed in the conference tournament.
The Bobcats improved their overall record to 2526 and their conference record 13-14.
Going into Sunday’s game, the Bobcats fell to the Eagles 13-3 on Friday then dropping the second game 8-7 on Saturday.
Following two scoreless innings, the Bobcats struck first in the top of the third. Facing two outs with a runner on first base, junior third baseman Chase Mora hit an RBI double into left field to put the Bobcats up 1-0.
Later in the top of the sixth inning, the Bobcats struck again. With the runners on first and second with two outs, freshman Dawson Park hit an RBI single up the middle, extending the lead to 2-0.
The Eagles answered back in the bottom of the sixth inning. With runners on first and second, Georgia Southern hit an RBI single into right-center field, cutting the Bobcat lead down to 2-1.
Despite having a runner on third with a chance to tie the game, the Bobcats kept Georgia Southern off the scoreboard after the pop-up to Mora was caught.
Texas State are locked in a three-way tie for sixth place Georgia Southern and Marshall. Daily Record photo by Gerald Castillo
Going into the ninth inning, the Bobcats still led by one run and looked to add insurance runs to maintain their lead.
Sophomore outfielder Samson Pugh hit a leadoff single followed by a walk from junior outfielder Travis Bragg as Texas State put runners on first and second.
Following a sacrifice bunt by senior outfielder Alan Shibley to move the runners up a base, the Bobcats scored when sophomore shortstop Ryne Farber hit an RBI single. Mora added his second RBI of the day with a sacrifice fly into deep left field to score Bragg and put the Bobcats up 4-1.
Junior pitcher Carson Laws earned his eighth save of the season to seal the win and salvage the series with a 4-1 win.
Senior pitcher Austin Eaton earned his fourth win of the season, throwing 5.1 innings and allowing just four hits, one earned run, one walk while striking out four batters.
With the win, the Bobcats are now in a threeway tie for sixth place with both the Marshall Thundering Herd and Georgia Southern. Marshall and Georgia Southern will both play each other in the final conference series of the season.
The Bobcats return to play Tuesday night against the UT-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros. UTRGV enters the final mid-week game of the season with a 33-16 overall record, having swept the Incarnate Word Cardinals in a three-game series. The Vaqueros earned a share of the Southland Conference title with Southeastern Louisiana.
First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.
cmcwilliams @sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc
Texas State will look to finish the season strong this week in the final games of the regular season. The Bobcats are trying to keep themselves above sixth place to avoid playing in the single elimination part of the conference tournament. Daily Record photo by Gerald Castillo
