Bobcats earn first Sun Belt win of season against South Alabama

Texas State secured its first Sun Belt win of the season with an 8-2 victory on Sunday inside Stanky Field in Mobile, Ala. 

The Bobcats (12-8, 1-2 Sun Belt) grabbed a quick 1-0 lead over the Jaguars (10-7, 2-1) with an RBI single from redshirt senior left fielder Skyler Valentine in the top of the first. 

South Alabama evened the score in the bottom of the fourth when a squeeze bunt from senior catcher Felix Aberouette scored freshman left fielder Ethan Wilson. 

Texas State regained the lead in the seventh inning. The frame began with a leadoff single by Valentine and senior first baseman Ryan Newman followed with a walk. Redshirt senior designated hitter Travis Benton moved both runners over with a sac-bunt. Junior right fielder Chase Evans brought Valentine home with a sac-fly and senior catcher Felipe Rodriguez scored Newman with an RBI single to give the Bobcats a 3-1 lead. 

Both teams traded runs in the eighth. The Bobcats added to their lead with an RBI double from redshirt junior center fielder  Will Hollis. The Jaguars cut the deficit to 4-2 with an RBI single from junior third baseman Kaleb DeLaTorre. 

Texas State put the game away with a four-run ninth inning. Hollis recorded two RBIs in the frame with a single up the middle. Valentine and junior Cole Coffey both added RBIs. 

South Alabama couldn’t rally in its final at bat and Texas State took the game 8-2. 

Bobcat senior right hander Connor Reich earned the win with a season-high seven strikeouts in seven innings of work. Reich only allowed one run on four hits. 

Jaguar redshirt sophomore righty took the loss on the mound after giving up two runs on one hit and a walk. 

Hollis paced Texas State at the plate with a 3-for-5 outing with three RBIs. 

The Bobcats returned to action on Tuesday against Incarnate Word in San Antonio. The game ended after press time. Texas State will be back in San Marcos for a three-game Sun Belt series against Louisiana-Monroe starting on Friday at 6 p.m. inside Bobcat Ballpark.