TXST BASEBALL
Mora surpassed Goldschmidt for most career home runs
For many, the king of Slam Marcos is current New York Yankee and former Texas State Bobcat Paul Goldschmidt, who held the program record for most career home runs at 36.
But on Friday night, the Slam Marcos crown was ceremoniously given to senior Chase Mora, who set a new Texas State record for most career home runs at 37 during the Bobcats doubleheader against Georgia Southern.
“They were kind of pitching me slow all weekend,” Mora said. “After seeing the first fast ball, he wasn’t really commanding it. I shifted my sights to off speed and sure enough that’s what I got.
“I’ve had a lot of big swings, but that one will obviously be one of my favorites, so it’s a really cool moment.”
It was a proud moment for head coach Steven Trout, who saw Mora develop during his record breaking freshman season and stressed the importance of why breaking the home run record is important during this era of college baseball.
“Anytime you break Goldschmidt’s record it’s just outstanding,” Trout said. “[Mora] has been a superstar since he walked on campus and more importantly, has been loyal to us since he walked on campus as well. You don’t see a lot of records broken anymore in this day and age because guys don’t stay in a place for all four years. Guys bounce around and do different things, and so that’s credit for [Mora], sticking with us, and sticking with the program. He can walk around as the home run champion.”
Mora’s career started in record-breaking fashion, becoming the first ever collegiate player to hit a home run in his first three plate appearances.
Later in the season, Mora broke the record for most home runs hit in a single game with four against North Dakota State.
Mora set a new freshman record for most home runs in a single season with 17, the fourth-highest in program history.
After his record-breaking freshman season, Mora believed he could catch Goldschmidt’s record.
“Everybody’s confident in themselves,” Mora said. “So yeah, I would say I had a chance, and I’m glad that I can do it.”
Coming into the 2026 season, Mora was six home runs away from breaking the record.
Though he initially wasn’t worried about the record, Mora did feel the pressure as he closed in on the record.
But after surpassing the record, Mora could finally feel the release of pressure.
“It’s good to have the monkey off my shoulder,” Mora said. “[Now] I can just go play and not worry about anything.
“I think early on, it was just kind of in the back of my head. Then as I got closer, it started to weigh on me a little more. But it’s just about showing up every day and competing.”
The home run ball was found and later given to Mora’s mother Tara who watched from the stands as her son broke the record.
For Mora, his mother is one of the main reasons he was able to be where he is today.
“That woman has done more things for me in my life than I can even thank her for,” Mora said. “I wouldn’t be standing here today talking to y’all without her and my friends. Everything that I do on this field is because of her.”
