Bobcats burst Texas’ bubble on late inning homer during Astros Classic

Following the thrilling win over the Houston Cougars, which saw Texas State win on a walk-off home run, the Bobcats were not done with the fireworks.

In a showdown with the budding rival Texas, the Bobcats out slugged the Longhorns peaking with a ninth inning two-run home run by Aaron Lugo with two-outs Texas State defeated their I-35 neighbors 11-10.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the resiliency of this team. Down to our last out, and we find a way to get it done,” Head Coach Steven Trout said. “A lot of big plays tonight, but we kept winning pitches. This is a tough group and couldn’t be happier for them.”

Freshman center fielder Ryne Farber kicked off the offensive fireworks party early, smashing a lead-off home run in the first inning to give the Bobcats the early lead at 1-0.

The Bobcats tacked on another run in the second inning with Daylan Pena scored on a wild pitch before Texas State loaded the bases.

The hero of Texas State’s game against Houston, who hit the walk-off homer, sophomore second baseman Chase Mora blasted a grand slam into left field as the Bobcats took a commanding 6-0 lead over the Longhorns.

As they tend to do, the Texas bats woke up. In the third inning the Longhorns scored three runs to make it a 6-3 game.

Texas State was able to add on to their lead in the next at-bat as Farber scored Davis Powell on the RBI single to push the lead out to 7-3.

The Longhorns refused to go away as Texas hit two home runs in the fifth inning to make it a 7-5 game.

Again the Bobcats answered the Longhorns’ score with one of their own as Mora collected his fifth RBI of the game by hitting an RBI single up the middle to score Alec Patino. Texas State pushed their lead up to 8-5.

Yet Texas refused to go away. The Longhorns hit an RBI triple to make it a 8-6 game in the top of the 7th inning.

With runners on the corners and one out, Texas took their first lead of the game as Longhorn pinch hitter Jack O’Dowd connected with a three-run home run into right field to take their first lead of the game at 9-8.

Despite the momentum change, the Bobcats failed to relent. Farber hit an RBI single into left field to score Powell, as the game was now tied at 9-9.

But Texas was not done either in this roller coaster of a game. Longhorn left fielder Porter Brown blasted a solo home run with two outs into right field to give the Longhorns a 10-9 lead.

The top of the ninth inning was looking grim for the Bobcats as Texas State was down to their final out following the fly out and a strikeout.

Pena kept the inning alive with a single up the middle and the Bobcats now had the game tying run at first with the game winning run at the plate.

After Kameron Weil came in to pinch run for Pena, third base Lugo broke both the Longhorns and the internet by blasting a two-run homer into left field all while blowing a picture-perfect bubblegum bubble. The emphatic homer gave Texas State the 11-10 lead as the Bobcats turned to junior pitcher Matthew Tippie to close out the game.

After forcing the ground out to third baseman Lugo, Tippie, who graduated from Wimberley High School, struck out the final two batters to give the Bobcats the win.

Texas State closed out the Astros Classic against LSU where the Bobcats fell to the No. 3 ranked Tigers 10-5.

Texas State earned three all tournament selections with Mora winning Most Outstanding Player.

Farber and Lugo were named to the all-tournament team.

With wins over both Houston and Texas along with a loss to LSU at the Astros Classic, Texas State improves their record to 7-4 overall.

The Bobcats return home this week with a midweek game against Texas A&M Corpus Christi before a weekend series with Sam Houston State.

cmcwilliams @sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc