Bobcats bounce back to edge out Lamar for series win

Texas State took their second series win of the season this weekend after defeating Lamar 2-1 (1-3, 4-3, 8-7) at Bobcat Ballpark.

The hosts came out flat Friday, failing to register a run until the bottom of the ninth frame. Trailing 3-0, senior second baseman Jaxon Williams led off with a walk, then reached to second on a single by senior left fielder Will Hollis. Both runner advanced a base on a wild pitch and Williams scored on a fielder's choice, hit by junior third baseman Justin Thompson. Texas State couldn't bring Hollis home, though, resulting in the 3-1 loss.

The team bounced back in Saturday's contest. The Bobcats fell behind early after a two-run second inning for the Cardinals, but scored consecutive runs in the third, fourth and fifth frames to take a 3-2 lead. Lamar tied it up with a score in the top of the seventh, but a walk-off RBI single to centerfield from junior right fielder John Wuthrich allowed junior center fielder Isaiah Ortega-Jones tag home in the bottom of the ninth for the 4-3 win.

With the series tied at 1-1, the maroon and gold battered the visitors with six runs in the opening frame of Sunday's matchup. Wuthrich and Hollis added another pair of scores on RBIs from Thompson and senior first baseman Cole Coffey in the second to take an 8-6 lead. The Cardinals tallied one more run in the seventh, but couldn't take back the lead, resulting in the 8-7 victory for Texas State.

Senior right-handed pitcher Zachary Leigh received the loss in Friday's game. Redshirt senior righty Brent Hebert took the win in Saturday's matchup. Redshirt freshman RHP Cameron Bush was given the win in Sunday's contest and junior right-hander Tristan Stivors was credited with a save.

The Bobcats (5-3) host Rice on Wednesday at 6 p.m. inside Bobcat Ballpark.