TXST BASEBALL
The Bobcats fell on the road to the UT-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros, losing 11-9 in the final midweek non-conference game of the season.
Texas State’s overall record falls to 25-27 as the Bobcats enter the weekend for the final conference series of the season.
The Bobcats struck first against the Vaqueros in their first at-bat. With a runner on first, senior catcher Austin Munguia connected with a two-run home run to put the Bobcats up 2-0.
UTRGV later took the lead back in their first at-bat of the game in the bottom of the first. Facing bases loading, the Vaqueros hit a grand slam to go up 4-2.
UTRGV added a tworun home run in the bottom of the fourth to extend their lead 6-2.
But Texas State didn’t give in.
Senior outfielder Alan Shibley put the Bobcats back on the board, hitting an inside the park home run in the top of the fifth. In the same inning, freshman second baseman Dawson Park hit a tworun RBI single, making it a one-score game at 6-5.
The Bobcat offense continued their torrent pace in the top of the sixth. With the bases loaded, junior third baseman Chase Mora hit a bases clearing RBI double, giving the lead back to the Bobcats. Later Mora was scored on a sacrifice fly by Mungia, putting the Bobcats up 9-6.
UTRGV answered back in the bottom of the sixth inning with an RBI triple before scoring again in the bottom of the seventh on a fielder’s choice, cutting the Bobcat lead down to 9-8.
In the bottom of the eighth, the Vaqueros completed their comeback. After tying the game on an RBI single, UTRGV scored two more runs on a Bobcat fielding error to put the Vaqueros out in front.
The Bobcats fell in order in the top of the ninth inning as Texas State dropped the game 11-9.
Texas State returns home this weekend for a conference showdown against the James Madison Dukes. The Dukes enter the weekend with a 15-37 overall record after being swept by the Old Dominion Monarchs in their last conference series. This is the second ever conference series between Texas State and James Madison with the Bobcats winning the first ever conference series last season.
First Pitch for Game 1 is set for 6 p.m. Thursday at Bobcat Ballpark.
cmcwilliams @sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc
The Bobcats will look to avoid missing out on the conference tournament for the second consecutive season when they host James Madison in the final conference series of the season Daily Record photo by Gerald Castillo
