TXST BASEBALL
UTRGV took a 3-0 lead over the Bobcats in the first three innings, scoring on an RBI single, an RBI double and a Bobcat error before Boles infield single to score pinch runner Austin Munguia from second in the bottom of the ninth.
Texas State improves to 16-8 for the season while UTRGV falls to 13-12 in the 76th alltime meeting between the South Texas universities.
“We didn’t play great baseball,” Head Coach Steven Trout said. “But we found a way to get a win on a Tuesday which is most important.”
The Bobcats celebrated in walk-off fashion, defeating the UTRio Grande Valley Vaqueros 8-7 on a Brady Texas State made their comeback.
Texas State got on board in the bottom of the fourth when sophomore Dawson Park hit a solo home run. Later in the at-bat, sophomore Ethan Farris connected with an RBI double in right-center field to make it a one-run game at 3-2.
The Bobcats took the lead in the bottom of the fifth when senior Rashawn Galloway hit a two-run double, putting Texas State up 4-3. Later, Manny Salas scored Galloway on a ground-out RBI to extend the lead 5-3.
The Vaqueros made it a one-run game in the top of the sixth, hitting a solo home run in top of the sixth to cut the Bobcats’ lead down 5-4.
Freshman Jackson Cotton added on to the Bobcats’ lead in the bottom of the seventh, hitting a two-run home run to right field, pushing the Vaquero deficit to 75.
However, the Vaqueros made one last push in the top of the ninth.
UTRGV scored one run on an RBI single before tying the game on another RBI single and threatened to retake the lead. Despite giving up two runs and facing runners on the corners with two outs, freshman Wade Cooper got the Bobcats back into the dugout, striking out the batter to end the Vaquero at-bat.
Freshman Clayton Namken led off the Bobcat at-bat, reaching first base on a Vaquero throwing error and representing the game-winning run. Munguia came in to pinch run for Namken and later stole second on a Chase Mora strikeout to be in scoring position with one out.
Facing a 1-2 count, Boles made contact with the pitch and Munguia started running on the base hioet. The hard-hit single was stopped by the diving shortstop as Munguia rounded third towards home plate. The shortstop made the throw home but Munguia slid head first into home plate, beating the throw and scoring the run as the Bobcats rushed the field to celebrate the win.
WEEKEND PREVIEW
Texas State is back on the road this weekend as the Bobcats make the trip to Atlanta to faceoff with the Georgia State Panthers in a threegame conference series.
The Panthers are 1313 for the season and 2--4 in conference play, coming off a 7-4 loss to Alabama State. Last weekend, the Panthers won their conference series against the Arkansas State Red Wolves, taking two games out of three.
Georgia State averages 6.20 runs per game and maintains a team batting average of .259 while having a team ERA of 5.65.
The Bobcats enter the weekend averaging 7.30 runs per game along with a team batting average of .290. On the mound, Texas State’s team ERA is at 5.65.
First pitch for Game 1 is set for 5 p.m. Friday at Georgia State.
Sophomore Dawson Park hit his seventh home run of the season in the Bobcats 8-7 win over UTRGV. Park is tied for the most home runs on the team with freshman Jackson Cotton, who also hit his seventh home run of the season against UTRGV. Daily Record photo by Gerald Castillo
