TXST BASEBALL
A wild weekend filled with weather delays and long doubleheaders ended with the Bobcats dropping their series against the Troy Trojans, being swept in a doubleheader on Saturday.
Texas State falls to 2412 and 9-6 in conference play while Troy improves to 18-18 and 8-7 in conference play.
“It was a tough day and we just didn’t play well,” Head Coach Steven Trout said.
”We swung the bat well in the second game then went through a four-inning slide. They obviously made the big swing at the end. They made some big swings there in the middle of it, but that’s not the name of the game, right? Obviously, you only get 1.1 innings out of your starting pitching and it is hard to win that game “I was proud of their fight, proud of their competitiveness but we just didn’t play good enough baseball.”
The series opener started at 6 p.m. on Friday, which soon saw a near three-hour rain delay, with the game resuming at 9:45 p.m.
Texas State entered the bottom of the ninth trailing 5-4 before scoring four runs in the bottom of the ninth highlighted by sophomore Dawson Park hitting a three-run walkoff home run just before midnight to seal the win.
“It goes out to my teammates and I have big faith in them,” Park said. “We tied the game, so I felt like a lot of the pressure was gone.
But pretty much just going up to the plate and I was looking for what I want, knowing I’m not gonna get much so I just took advantage of what I got and didn’t miss it.”
Texas State and Troy returned to play on Saturday as the series turned into a doubleheader due to the inclement weather.
The Trojans roared back in the first game of the doubleheader, beating Texas State 15-2 as Troy scored 12 unanswered runs to close out the win.
In the second game of the doubleheader, the Bobcats offense bounced back, scoring 11 runs in against the Troy defense.
The game was highlighted by junior Jaquae Stewart hitting three home runs with eight RBIs, the second most in a single game in program history.
Despite leading Troy 11-7 after the sixth inning, Texas State gave up five unanswered runs including a solo home run in the top of the 11th inning to give the Trojans both the lead and the win at 12-11.
The doubleheader for Texas State was highlighted by the pitching struggles from the Bobcats who gave up a combined 27 runs and 32 hits.
With the team’s pitching struggles, Trout is focused on finding pitchers that will step up and execute their pitches, highlighting the success of freshman Wade Cooper and sophomore Cade Smith.
“The key is finding more guys,” Trout said. “We had to bring Coop [Wade Cooper] in there in the first inning, which was never the plan, then we had to bring Smitty [Cade Smith] back again. He only threw 32 pitches last night, whatever it was, so he was good to throw today but obviously anytime you throw the day before for three innings you’re tired.
“So we have to find more length down [in the bullpen]. Markwardt was pretty good again and there have been some other guys that have been good, but some guys weren’t as good, right? The difference is, good teams don’t chase. They make you throw it in there, and you have to make quality pitches. So [we have to] just go back to executing and getting after it.”
Texas State is back home Tuesday night as the Bobcats host the Houston Christian Huskies. Houston Christian comes into San Marcos with a 16-19 overall record, coming off a conference series win over the Northwestern State Demons last weekend.
First pitch is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday at Irvine-Ramussen Ballpark.
Jaquae Stewart celebrates with his teammates after hitting a home run in the Bobcats game against Troy. Stewart hit three home runs along with eight RBIs against Troy.. Daily Record photo by Gerald Castillo
Rashawn Galloway slides into second base safely on the double. Texas State returns to play Tuesday against Houston Christian. Daily Record photo by Gerald Castillo
